3Q6 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[September, 
We know, on the other hand, that our people 
are paying large sums for imported and Califor- 
nia wines that have been treated iu this very 
■way, and even worse, as some of the so-called 
CalLfornia wines are vile compounds, fortified 
with brandy. As it is likely that we shall be a 
wine-making people to a considerable extent, it 
is important that we come to some understand- 
ing upon this matter, and if only the 
product of uusugared grape juice 
is to be considered wine between 
the Atlantic and the Rocky moun- 
tains, let us have it so arranged that 
wines made otherwise elsewhere 
shall not be allowed to be sold. 
A Fine Colnmbine.—i^guilegia 
(jlandulosa) 
With the increased attention now 
given to hardy herbaceous peren- 
nials, we are glad to see that the 
Colunibiues are not overlooked. 
The old garden Columbine, Aqui- 
Icgia vulgaris, sports into a great 
variety, and a bed of this, in its 
different colored double Howers, is 
very beautiful. But there are other 
species which are to onr taste more 
pleasing than A. mdgaris; they are 
not double, it is true, nor is it neces- 
saiy that every flower should be 
double ; there are some, the grace 
and simplicity of which would be 
spoiled by any multiplication of 
parts. Our common wild Colum- 
bine, A. Canadensis, which was 
figured iu May 1805, is much val- 
ued in European collections, and 
should be seen in our own gardens 
oftener than it is. When intro- 
duced into the border it takes ou 
a vigorous growth, flowers profuse- 
ly, and seems to do its best to re- 
pay the attention of the cultivator. 
We recently saw in the grounds 
of :Mr. Henderson, at South Ber- 
gen, among other choice herba- 
ceous plants, a Columbine, Aqiiile- 
gia glandulosa, whicli seemed such 
a gem that we had an engraving 
made of one of the smaller spec- 
imens. The finely cut foliage makes 
a tuft close to the ground, and the 
stems are a foot or less high, bear- 
ing very large flowers. The calj's 
and horns of the petals are of a 
most pleasing blue color, while the upper portion 
of the petals are of a pure white, tlie two mak- 
ing a striking and charming contrast. Tlie spe- 
cies is hardy with Mr. H., but Mr. Breck says that 
he lost his ; the plant being a native of Siberia, 
any want of hardiness is probably due rather to 
changes of temperature than to excessive cold. 
py more ground than is desirable. Whoever 
sets a hedge, for whatever purpose, must make 
up his mind to take care of it. A neglected 
hedge is as ugly as a well kept one is beautiful. 
Nothing gives a place a more dilapidated ap- 
pearance tlian a hedge, as we often see it, a mass 
of foliage propped up on long and naked sticks. 
To have a perfect hedge, it must be begun in the 
Hedg'es and Hedge Plants.— Isi AHide. 
THE HONET LOCUST. 
That hedges fonn the most available enclo- 
sures iu many places, and the most beautiful in 
all, is generally conceded. Where there is a 
gi-eat abundance of timber, or where the land 
abounds in stones, these materials are not likely 
to be superseded by the live fence. In orna- 
mental grounds, they form the most appropriate 
enclosures, but in small gardens they often occu- 
AQUILEGIA GLANDUtOSA. 
right way, and when well established, kept in 
the proper form by regular clipping. Leaving the 
matter of setting and forming a hedge to another 
article, we wish to call attention to some of the 
suitable hedge plants. In the matter of hedges, 
as in other agricultural and horticultural affairs, 
the early attempts in this country were close cop- 
ies of European practice, without taking into ac- 
count differences in climate. Tlie universal Thorn 
of England is a general failure with us, and so 
with the Privet and other plants. It was only 
when attention was turned to our native shrubs 
that we made any progress in hedging. Among 
the plants that have had a varying reputation 
as hedge plants, is our Honey Locust, which 
has now been sufficiently tested to confirm all 
that has been claimed for it, and in many local- 
ities it may be regarded as our most valuable 
plant. The Honey Locust, often called Three- 
thorned Acacia, (Oleditschia triaacantJws) is a 
native of Illinois, Pennsylvania, and southward, 
but is hardy all through New York State. It 
forms a fine large ornamental tree, with I'ight 
feathery foliage, and has numerous sharp 
thorns which often become very large and 
branching. The flowers are in small clusters 
and not showy ; but the pods which succeed 
tbem are long, flat, and wavy, and contain 
brown seeds, of the size of a large 
bean, imbedded in a sweet pulp. 
One of the objections that have 
been proposed to the use of this as 
a hedge plant is, that in its natural 
state it is a large tree. This ob- 
jection will equally apply to the 
thorn, which we have seen twen- 
ty or thirty feet high. That a tree 
left to itself will attain a large size 
is no proof that it cannot be dwarf- 
ed by cutting, and its habit com- 
pletely altered The best speci- 
mens of a Honey Locust hedge 
within our knowledge are to be 
seen at the nurseries of David D. 
Buchanan, at Elizabeth, N. J. 
These hedges were set about 20 
years ago by William Reed, the 
then proprietor, and are well worth 
a visit by those who would like to 
see a perfect hedge. The plants in 
these hedges are set at a distance of 
about six inches. This is much 
nearer than has been advised. War- 
der, in his work on hedges, sug- 
gests three feet, which would ap- 
pear too far. Probably a foot 
would be found a better distance 
than either. At any rate, these old 
hedges show no signs of decay 
from overcrowding, are furnished 
with branches quite to the bottom, 
and present a barrier impass.able 
to man or beast. The seeds are to 
be bought of the seedsmen, or may 
be collected this autumn. If kept 
in earth through the winter they 
will germinate without difficulty, 
but if they have been kept dry they 
will need to be scalded before 
planting. Sow in drills as soon as 
the ground is warm, and keep 
clean and well cultivated through 
the season. The seedling plants 
are perfectly hardy, and unlike the 
Osage Orange, stand the winter 
without protection. In the spring 
the hedge is set, first shortening 
the plants to about three inches. Plants suitable 
for setting can be purchased at the nurseries. 
»,» — ■■■ — -■» 
The Golden Dwarf Peach. 
This is a comparatively new variety of peach 
that is a natural dwarf, growing only four or 
five feet high. The trees we have seen have a 
remarkably compact habit, and veiy healthy 
foliage. We have noj seen the ripe fruit, but 
have seen it when nearly full grown. It is of 
fair size, and terminated at the end opposite the 
stem by a very distinct point. We saw fruiting 
trees in the orchard house of Mr. Isaac Pullen, 
of Hightstown, N. J., who is disposed to tliink 
well of the variety. Aside from the curiosity 
of the thing, this variety has an economical im- 
portance, if it proves to be all that is claimed 
for it. Peaches have of late years been such a 
precarious crop, as to discourage their cultiva- 
