The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-08-29
Horticultural Guluu,lr.
Hedge Training in Missouri.

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Hedge Training in Missouri.
We commend the following, from cor
respondence Of the Country Gentleman,
to Kansas hedge growers. There may
be some properly trained hedges in Kan
sas, but we have not yet seen them:
Eds. Country Gentleman Please
permit new contributor to offer few
suggestions through the columns Of the
Country Gentleman, in regard to the
cultivation and training Of the Usage
Orange for hedges. During residence
and sojourn Of eighteen months in the
State Of Missouri, l saw system of
training put in practice which appeared
new to your correspondent, and, may be
will prove so to many Of your readers,
vet it secures the desired end. The de-
sideratum to be obtained in the growth
Of live fences is thick and impenetra-
bic base.
We will not enter into detail as to
the preparation Of the hedge-row before
planting, as no one who is at all con-
versant with good farming, and know
ing what they want and how to secure
it, will ever plant hedge without first
putting the ground in good condition to
receive the seed or young plants.
Let the seed (if good) be planted
where the hedge is to be, from six to
eight inches apart in the row or they
may be planted in a convenient spot
where they can be transplanted to the
hedge-row without cutting back, as the
first years growth, a single upright
shoot, is necessary in forming the base.
If the seeds are planted in the hedge
row, all spaces (if any occur) may be
filled by plants.
Having the hedge filled with plants of
one years growth, provide good thick
pair Of leather mittens to protect the
hands from thorns, and then commence
at one end by taking the tops in the
hand and bending them to TIE ground,
at the same time giving them twist
and interlacing them at the base of
those next adjoining. which are likewise
bent and twisted like the first, and
bound down to the ground by those fol-
lowing, which are also treated as the
former ones, until all are twisted and
lying on the ground like huge rope.
The time Of laying down may vary in
different localities. In the more north
ern sections the fall Is to be preferred,
as the young plant will thus be protect
ed from the severe weather but further
south the spring is equally as good, say
any time before the buds start. The
advantages Of this system will, l trust,
present themselves to the reader at once
Shoots are thrown out in every conceiv-
able direction, and all of strong and
healthy growth, being from eyes and
buds, thus forming dense, impenetra-
bic and perfect base, upon which a
hedge, worthy Of the name, may be
erected at little expense thereafter,
which shall give the owner perfect Sc
curity against all intrusion from domes-
tic animals, however breachy they may
be.
Wherever l have seen the above meth
cd in practice, good hedge is the sure
reward Of the proprietor. 1t is not un-
common in Missouri to see base Of
four feet in thickness the first year, but
in the Northern and Eastern States such
growth cannot be looked for, yet
wherever hedge is practicable, the
above method { in the mind of your cor.
respondent) will prove successful, with
whatever kind of plants it may be set.
Let me offer one more suggestion,
especially to those who have sort of
skeleton hedge, which entirely fails to
perform the part designed for it. Let
it be cut entirely away close to the
ground; the roots will send up shoots
which may be treated as above, and
prove equally successful as if set with
fresh plants. SAMUEL AVERY.
TINE FOR CUTTING TIMBER.-We |