Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-06-08
HEDGING.


HEDGING.
As many Of our readers are cultiva-
ting hedges we will venture to give
word Of advice, drawn from both ex-
perience and observation.
1t is too late now 10 give any adj
vice in reference to setting out, this
spring. That work is over. But as
we may not recur to this subject again
before another spring. we will say that
the plants should be set out. in a 'eell
prepared row, as early as possible, with
as much root as possible and the top
cut off within two inches of the yellow
bark Of the root. Not more than
these two inches should project above
the ground. The best Of care should be
taken in planting them, and no more
should be undertaken one season than
can be planted well and well cultiva-
ted afterwards. We know some farm
ers who have long rows that are not,
and never win be hedge, owing to
undertaking too much at once. Hav-
ing planted them well, return again
about the first Of June and plow them
well, at least two feet on each side.
and allow neither weeds or grass to
grow among it.
All this may seem like doing too
much for SO little. All we have to
say in answer Is, that If you can not
afford this. you should not spoil your
fence row with nuisance for hedge,
for scattering, struggling orange trees
are worse than so many hazle bushes.
About the middle Of June or first Of
July your plants will have put out
branches that are now from four to six
inches long. This is one Of the most
i'm portant periods In the cultivation Of
the hedge. 1t is period that de-
mands patient and prompt action. II
you really want hedge. and not
mere apology for one, you can afford to
pay harvest wages for the work now
needed. II il needs blowing and hoe.
ing. do II carefully and thoroughly, and
then with sharp knife or large pail
Of scissors cut of every sprout, leav
ing not more than four leaves 10 III,
part remaining. The sprouts are ten
der. and can be easily clipped. II an,
have not at least three leaves let then
grow until the second clipping, abou
the first Of August. II they hav'
three. cut Oft the point at least. Thu
result will be that from every leaf
there will shoot out a branch, that i
six weeks more, or about the first G
August. will have three or more leaves
when these. branches will need clippin
again. and thus by the time winte
sets in. IL you have planted In goo
soil. well prepared, you have hedg
worth three times rs much as II 1t ha
been permitted to grow without tn
clippings Of the summer. When pei
mitted TO grow without blowing. an
carefully hosing, many tender plant
are killed by weeds and grass. whic
makes q vacuum that can never b
filed. Nothing can be replanted to s
little advantage as the Orange. TIL
replants never can catch up with III
originals. And when permitted to 8
the whole summer without clipping.
tall switch grows up which must b
cut down the next spring and then 20
have no better lateral branches tina
when twice rs many are cultivated b
tho process above described. An
these tall thrifty ones over.shadow On
destroy the later and less thrift
plants.
The same course should be pcrsue
the second year as to cultivation An
clipping. except that the clipping ma
DO begun earlier. Thus in two yea
you have the foundation for a fir
class hedge which may be turned OF
tho third year IL these two years ha'
been seasonabls and the soil good
The fourth year. In any ordinary &C
tho hedge will be imperious to any Al
imal. Lateral branches provided
this way do not "shed off" rs tho'
do that come from cutting down III
stock after years growth.
This repeated clipping may be b
gun in those hedges that were permi
cd last year to grow unmolested an
that have been cut down this spring.
IL let alone. two or three straigl
shoots will grow up 10 be cut dow
again next spring, but II cut dow
about the time they are six or eigl
inches high and kept at near th'
height by repeated clippings there wi
be score Of lateral branches thl
will render the hedge thick and matte
at the bottom.
After the first or second cutting,
can be performed with sharp scyth,
about as fast as q man can walk, b
just cutting oil the upward shoots an
leaving the lateral ones to spread on
The stocks are tender and cut easil,
We are aware that this will DO pr,
nounced "too much trouble" but II
part Of the expense Of having