The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-02-14
For the Minnesotian.


most durable. II he can get plant wnlcn
is easily cultivated, speedily grown, durable
and ornamental, he is pleased. Though
these qualities can be found combined in
one plant, yet it requires some discrimlna-
ton to find it, since there are SO many plants
from which to make the selection.
1t is very common thing to regard eli
mate in the selection, and though there are
. few plants which have a very wide geogra.
phical range, still ! am inclined to believe
that those that thrive best in their native
climate are at least best for that latitude,
The Usage orange grows well in almost
any part of the United States, but it grows
to greater perfection in the Southern States
than elsewhere. Here I may add that the
experiments made on the Usage orange Ma
clvra auraiaca) have given better satisfac-
ton than any other plant. Magnificent
hedges are found, not only in the Southern
States, but in the Middle and Eastern States,
made from this plant. They are found near
Portland, Boston, Philadelphia and Cincin-
natl of rare beauty and effectiveness.
The hawthorn (Crategus ozycaaatha) is one
of the best plants in the world for hedges.
It is the Englishman's favorite and it will
be remembered that in England the most
beautiful hedges are found. Some degree Of
Difference, then, ought to be paid to their ex-
periments and opinions.
The hawthorn is well known, and needs
but short description Its branches have
An unyielding texture its thorns are long
and inAexible they remain upon the tree
long time after they are dead, thus forming,
when close set, most complete barrier to
the intrusions of two-legged as well as four
legged animals. But that which gives it
great preference to many others is its power
Of enduring great extremes Of cold and
heat. This cannot be said of any of the
other known hedge plants. Long continued
heat and drought, and severe cold have in
jured the Usage plant very perceptibly.
The dry, hot summer Of 1854 left its mark
upon theMaclura hedges everywhere, yet did
not sensibly affect the hawthorn. As to the
durability of the hawthorn, that is beyond
question. What English reader does not re-
member the old hawthorn down at the end
Of the lane, or the one in the old woods
pasture, or the one on the side of the road
that leads to town. Does he not remem-
Der how beautiful it looked covered with
blossoms, and with what delightful fragrance
it filled the air2 Does he not recollect that
when . small boy he played under its shade
or filled his pockets with its mellow red
fruit and when he became man the tree
still stood there in all its vigorous beauty 2
Such is the durability of this thorny bar
rier.
We are inclined, however, to draw a just
parallel between the claims of the hawthorn
and Usage orange. The former requires a
dry, fertile soil. 1t is never found III marshes,
or where the soil is continually wet and cold
its roots love not cold, clammy soil. The
latter thrives full as well on low grounds,
and has been found a first-rate substitute for
VIC AOOO 1CuOCs 1S0u lcuCCS lICQuCAGIy
taken away, while board fences are poor
substitute. The hedge may be borne down
by the weight of water and aood-wood, but
when all subsidies, it rears its head, appears
fresher, and grows more vigorously after its
rough handling.
Again, the former grows to too great a
height to be really ornamental, and re-
quires more labor to keep it within proper
bounds. The latter can be easily cultivated
to assume pyramidal shape, or in fact any
other shape that suits the cultivator so can
the hawthorn, but with vastly more labor.
In fact, it is hard to say which of these two
IL the best.
The Usage is, without doubt, more beau
tiful but it is a matter of great doubt whe-
Their it is more durable or effective than the
other. Let proper care be given to the cul-
ture of either and the results must be salts
factory.
The buckthorn (Ramnus catharticus), a
product indigenous to the north part Of
Asia, forms . very beautiful and effective
hedge. Some hedgers pronounce it the best
plant for hedging known. 1t is1exc -edingly
hardy, and endures severe cold, negotiating
early and remaining green till late in the
autumn. 1t is very pliable, and may be
trailed over an arched gateway, or otherwise
cultivated into any shape desired.
The European Hornbeam (Carpiaus bstri-
l.ls) and the American Hornbeam Carpimus
Americana,) are, without doubt, very excel.
lent plants. They are very hardy, and form
. close hedge, literally full Of thorns, form
ing what the French call " Chevaux de
frise." They require much attention, from
the Seeding up to the full grown hedge, and
for this reason are less cultivated. -s. so,
have now brought the subject fairly be-
fore your readers. / shall soon consider the
subject of culture in its minuteness, and hope
to be able to talk some concerning the rear
ing of ornamental trees. Let us beautify
our fields. Let us enlarge the beauties of
nature around us. Let us add beauty to
profit For the present. ct us bid each other
good bye.
Yours truly, es
RrsTIcus.