The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1855-06-23
AGRICULTURAL.

agricultural.
- From tie CapsaneAe CAisf.
Hedging.
Directions for eultivating Usage Or
ange Hedges, have been so often before
the reading public, that it seems almost
useless to bring it up again. Yet not
withssandmg all that has been said on
that subject, large portion of those who
have attempted it, have failed in making
good hedges. We are naturally led to
enquire. what is the cause of so many
failures? 1t is not because the plant
with proper management is not capable
OF making perfect fence. This has
been abundantly proven by the splendid
Usage Orange hedges. at, and near Den
mark, Lee county, Iowa; where may be
seen 400 or 500 rods of full grown hedge
which, when in leaf, is a dense mass of
dark green foliage, so compact that it
would be difficult for small bird to pen
citrate it, presenting perfect barrier to
man and beast. 1t is well settled fact
that the Usage Orange will make hedge
that cannot be surpassed by any other
plant that we have any knowledge of. In
fact, it seems to possess all the most de-
sirable qualities, aud if we could have a
plant made to order, have my doubts
If we could better it.
We must attribute the cause Of fail
ure tesenaethmg else than fault in the
plant. Either the instructions that have
been given to the public have not been
sufficiently correct in principle, or min
ute in detail, to enable the inexperienced
to effect the. object in view, or, those di-
reetions being correct, have not been
followed. Failures have resulted from
both of these causes, but more frequent
ly from the latter. There have been
many excellent articles written on the
subject, also many have been written by
men of no experience, which were cal
culated to lead into error and do much
mischief.
do not indulge the hope that shall
give more accurate instructions in the
management of the hedge than some
have done before, but if l can point out
some of the defects of a large proportion
of hedges have noticed, and give direc-
tons for avoiding them, shall feel as
sured that have done q public service
of no small value--for | firmly believe
chat the Usage Orange hedge is destined
10 become the common fence of our broad
prairies. 1t will require several more
years experience before we shall ascertain
with any degree of certainty, the very
best way of managing a hedge of this
highly important plant. Still, we have
learned enough already, to make it GER
tain, then we can produce fence in ev
cry respect superior to the unsightly
worm fences of rails piled up throughout
the country which are constantly subject
10 decay.
| viii now proceed to give my opinion
as to the best mode of preparing the
ground, setting out plants, cultivating anG
transplanting the hedge:
Preparation ofthe Groand. thu
ground late in the fall, at least three fur
rows on each side Of the line where yo,
intend to set the plants. Turn the fur,
rows out from the line, as to have wha
the farmers call the dead furrow, wher
yeu want to set your hedge, and the deep
er the better. This will give the fros
Of winter chance to pulyerize the soil
In the spring, when you get ready t.
plant your hedge, pillow again as deep a
possible and turn the burrows in toward.
the line where the plants are to be Set
Harrow it until you make it 6ne, leaving
itleyel, unless the ground be low anc
wet; if this is the case, it should b.
thrown up with a broad ridge, so tina
water viii not stand within six or eigh
feet of the hedge. If the ground wher,
You wish to grow the hedge be prairie
sod, it should be broken in early sum
mer, previous TO setting in spring.
The implements used for setting, are
shedge line. rake with iron or stee
teeth, and a transplauting trowel. Any
light strong cord win answer for line
Spots may be made on the line at the dis
lance you wish to set your plants, BY
winding around board of suitable
width and painting along the edge of the
board across the cord with small brush
and red paint. The width of the board
viii regulate the distance between the
spots. The line should be at least ter
rods long for convenience. The trowe
should be steel blade about foot Ions
and two and half inches wide, taperins
towards the end, with a lance SHAPED
point It should be one fourth of al
inch thick in the middle and taper TO al
edge at the sides. The blade should b
ground smooth and polished, in order +
work easy and keep clear, and when no
in use, it should be wiped clean and DIR,
to prevent rssting. Its more conyen
lent to hare curved shank and wood
en- handle, standing at right angles Wit
the blade. and in line with the edges
batthey are generally made with straigh
shank, and wooden handle with q knol
on top, 80 Is TO be easy to the hand 9
The operator. Assert the plants. that i
put those that are very small, or hav
any defects IN the roots. Trim OF, Wit
. sharp knife, all the side roots 10 ha
an inch IN length, and cut of the mai
or top root to six or eight inches. or unit
the end has white, sound appearing,
This viii induce them to throw out fr
roots more readily. Cut the tops of ,
within three inches Of the yellow part {
root. Nix equal parts Of fresh COW dun
and soil; add water enough to make il
the consistency of thick psste-dip Il