Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-10-16
CHE polpnesian.
From the Cultivator.
OSAGE ORANGE HEDGES.

The Machura Aurantica, or Usage tree, i
: : found in portions Of upper Texas, Arkansas
], northern Louisiana and the southern portion
of the Indian territory, in a native state
y and, IN point of appearance, closely resem
bles the orange free. 1t bears a large an,
beautiful fruit, which is remarkably tempting
s IN appearance, but it is perfectly useless fo
man and beast. The foliage somewhat re
sembles that of the peach, but of richer an(
, more transparent green, and, in many re-
spects, it may be ranked among the mos
!, splendid of the forest trees Its growth i.
uncommoniy prolific, SO much 50, that on
rich vegetable soil, it will throw out branches
varying from three to ten feet, in single
season. The growth is so rapid, whilst the
: plants are young, that it natures its wood
imperfectly: so much so, indeed, that in the
centre of each stalk of young growth, a pith
is formed, closely resembling that of elder.
Yet this influence does not extend beyond
the second years growth, and as the wood
perfects itself, it becomes nearly as hard as
lignumvitae, and is as incorruptible as the
cedar. in its native cline, it ordinarily
makes a growth of fifty feet in height, and
will girt, at maturity, from eight to ten feet,
feet in diameter, are frequently cut from
this tree along the valleys of the Usage river;
and the wood, though difficult to saw into
lumber, and work with edge tools, is highly
priced, from the fact that it not only makes a
beautiful quality of furniture, but will take
the highest and most perfect polish and finish
Among other peculiarities of this splendid
tree, its limbs are densely covered with
thorns, so sharp that no animal can safely
come in contact with its foliage and owing
to this peculiar quality, it has recently been
introduced as hedging plant, and the adapt
alton and management Of which, demands
somewhat critical notice at this particular
crisis.
Being pretty thoroughly acquainted with
the management of the English hawthorn for
hedging purposes, which is known to be a
dwarf or shrub, it was natural to look upon
the introduction of large class of forest
trees for a hedging plant with doubtful fore
bodings and the more we investigated the
subject, the more convinced we became, that
those who planted largely for fencing pur-
poses, would ultimately have reason to regret
it. The objections frequently urged on our
part, against the Usage orange hedge, are
clearly indicated in the description given of
the habits and character of the plant, at the
head Of this article and although disposed
to condemn the whole mania as e modern
humbug, yet the importance of introducing a
successful system of hedging, became so ap-
parent, from the great scarcity of fencing
timber in many of the oldest states, and on
the western prairies, that we we're inclined,
against our supposed better judgment, toI
look favorably upon movement. that would
either prove to be great curse or a blessing
to the agricultural community. The rapid
and enormous growth Of the tree /; its tend
ency to throw off lateral branches in nearly
horizontal direction the unsoundness of
the wood at its heart, the large expense that
would have to be incurred in keeping the |
hedge in proper shape and limits ; the apti-
tude of the plant forming a standard tree, in
spite of the numerous trimmings and prunings
that may be employed, to convert it into a
dwarf; and the natural tendency of the lower
limbs and branches to decay, are among the
prominent reasons that prompted us to look
coolly on at the movement for extending the
of the Maclura for hedging pur-
poses. The beauty of the plant, and its
powers of resistance for fencing, aside from
our apprehensions of its ultimate failure,
ptohPt uS ~ dChuOWiCuSc tIldt VIC are Odlly
becoming more hopeful that the ardent
friends of the speculation, may realize their
most sanguine expectations. Entertaining
none but the most kindly feelings toward
those who are engaged in the propagation
and sale of Usage orange plants, we shall
without further criticising their qualities,
take more practical view of the subject.
The seed are gathered mostly by the
Indians, in northern Texas and the Indian
territories, and with much difficulty and ex-
pense are separated from the pulpy parts of
the fruit; and its value ranges from $40 to
$40 per bushel. Its appearance resembles
cucumber seed, and quart of sound seed
will produce 5000 plants. These plants of
one year old. command price, ranging from
s. to $40 per 900, which will plant nearly
one mile of fence, placing the plants foot
apart in the rows, or half q mile if planted
in double row six inches asunder, and a
foot between each plant in the row, making
them alternate, so that the plants will be
only six inches from each, in the direct line.
Double rows for small enclosures, are
thought better than single ones, even sup
posing that it took an equal number of plants
to make the hedge, on account Of the close
ness that the bottom Of the hedge row may be
made, when it presents broad base of
thrifty growing young plants. On the prai-
ries of central and southern Illinois, the pro-
pagation of the Usage orange plant for hedg-
ing purposes, has been engaged in more ex-
Iensively than in any portion Of the union
and latterly, the practice of planting only one
row and placing them foot asunder, finds
favor among the practical farmers generally.
The seed are somewhat difficult to germi-
nate, and the practice almost universally
adopted, is to scald It with hot water, before
being planted in drills, and after being thus
treated it is put into cask or vessel, Ind