563 
ON FENCES. 
therefore appear that plants of this genus have 
an organization which predisposes them to 
spontaneous production by the leaves. 
It may be asked if leaves of Cardamine 
latifolm by being placed so that they would 
float on the surface of water, would produce 
small plants ? From my own observation I 
should say that the water in this respect has 
no power. 
We have here a fresh proof that horticul- 
tural operations have often preceded the 
physiological theories concerning plants. We 
know, indeed, that from the time of Georges 
Bauer, oranges and other plants have been 
produced simply by striking leaves; and 
in all operations of this kind the presence 
or absence of the nerves or fibre has been 
studied. The necessity is still confirmed by 
the above facts. It also explains the fact of 
the sap's ascending by the veins, and that 
without this sap no development of the shoot 
could take place. But these remarks are not 
confined to Cardamine and Drosera. Dr. 
Lindley has cited under the same point of view 
Malaxis paludosa, a little European orchidace- 
ous plant ; also Bryophyllum calycinum, and 
Tellima fj.randifl.ora. We have seen something 
in the same way a few years ago with Nastur- 
tium rivulare; so that these developments 
are commoner than is supposed. — M. A. de 
St. Hilaire, and Prof. Morren. 
ON FENCES. 
The following is the substance of a paper 
read at the Newcastle Farmers' Club, by Mr. 
E. Martinson : — 
The sod-fence is made with a good batter 
on each side, and raised to the height of about 
four feet, which height is increased by hazel 
or other pliable rods bent in semicircular 
form, and stuck into the uppermost sod. These 
bows, when well warped, and executed in a 
workmanlike manner, look extremely well. 
This fence, or rather the finished part of it, 
is technically and appropriately called " a 
hang-live fence," and is peculiar to elevated 
situations, and to districts where stones are 
not in abundance. 
The dry stone wall kind of fence, in high 
situations, where the Thorn and other plants 
cannot be reared with any certainty of suc- 
cess, and where stones are plentiful, is found 
the readiest, the cheapest, and the most sub- 
stantial. With stone walls, I always imagine 
that the idea of a cold, barren, and bleak dis- 
trict is associated. This fence, however, has 
its advantages. It occupies very little space ; 
when built it requires no more attention, or 
at least very little ; and if a piece of it does 
by accident or misfortune fall down, the ma- 
terial still remains with which to repair it. 
It neither engenders nor promotes weeds or 
other rubbish, which so much infest live 
fences, and prove so obnoxious to their 
growth, and to the adjoining crops. The stone 
walls ought not to be less than thirty inches 
wide at the bottom, about fifteen inches at the 
top, and six quarters, or four and a half feet 
high, including the coping. The coping should 
always be laid on with lime. Such a stone 
wall may be built for about 6s. a rod of seven 
yards, stones included, provided the stones are 
pretty easily obtained. Nothing in dry stone 
wall fencing adds more to its strength and 
durability than fitting the middle of the wall 
well. When this precaution is neglected, the 
Avails soon lose their erect appearance. 
Of living fences there are none so good as 
the Thorn, or Quickset fence. I shall begin 
with the mode of planting ; and I would here 
observe, that, in nine cases out of ten, far too 
little care is taken in the preparation of the 
land for the reception of this useful plant. 
The ground intended for a line of new fence, 
should undergo deep trenching at least twelve 
months previous to planting, and have all the 
weeds and rubbish as nearly as possible era- 
dicated ; and a little lime might be very ad- 
vantageously employed in decomposing any 
vegetable matter which may remain, and thus 
promote and accelerate the growth of the Thorn 
when planted, in consequence of immediate 
nutriment being afforded to the plant. 
The most general mode of planting this 
useful fence, is in a cast or mound, artificially 
thrown up. The first operation is turning up 
and placing the sod and soil for what is called 
the Thorn bed. The front margin of the bed 
should be twelve to fifteen inches from the 
edge of the ditch in front of the quicksets. 
Many object to this plan on account of the 
space, or what is commonly called a scarce- 
ment, being more apt to encourage the pro- 
duction of weeds than in that which is planted 
immediately upon the edge of the ditch. It 
may do so, but the disadvantage is completely 
cancelled by the greater security of the plant 
itself, and by the prevention of the mould 
falling into the ditch, and thereby obstructing 
the course of the water. Besides, this scarce- 
ment facilitates, very materially, the scouring 
of the fence, when that operation becomes ne- 
cessary. The stem of each plant, before being 
deposited in the Thorn bed, is cut through, 
to about six or eight inches long, and then 
the plants are placed as firmly as possible in 
their bed, covered with earth, and compressed 
by the foot or the spade ; and, when thus de- 
posited, the top of the plant is even with the 
face of the cast. I have generally planted 
fifty to a rod, or about seven to the yard. 
A considerable portion of the ditch is then 
