The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-12-20
Beech He'd Res.

We notice In the Maine Farmer commu-
nication from Ambrose 81. Abbott, ESQ.,, Of
China, Me-, on the subject OF Beecn plants
for hedge fences. Mr.. Abbott was one of the
Commissioners of Maine to the Paris Exposi-
tion last summer, and during his visits to the
French metropolis and other parts of Europe
he was careful to make and rep )rt several in
teresting and useful observations. Amongst
these was what he saw on the grounds of Mr.
Backhouse, in the eastern part of England in
relation to hedging plants. The following is
the communication referred to-:
| HEDGE PLANTS.
In answer to Inquirer" in the Farmer of
the 7th inst, relating to beech as a hedge
plant, will say that have seen many beech
hedges the past year in England, and one
that attracted my attention more than apy
other kind of hedge that saw, was of that
kind in the eastern part of Great Britain,
near the city OF York, on the grounds of
James Backhouse, Jr. Mr.. b. pro fession is
the propa9atiLg of hedge plants, fruit aud or
namental trees, shrubs and flowers for the
market. F or this purpose he has level piece
OF ground. regularly laid out with walks,
containing about seventy-fve acres. The
grounds occupied for raising hedge plants, or
namental and fruit trees, is divided from
those adapted to the cultivation OF shrubs
and flowers by this beech hedge, which is
about seventy-fve rods long, about eight feet
high and fifteen inches thick. and trimmed
on each side. The top is straight as line,
and so thick that could not see through it,
with open spaces for walks that crossed it at
right angles. This hedge, in Hilton to Sc
curing his flowers from the north wind, show
ell what the shears would do in the hands of
an experienced workman. Mr. u. had many
nurseries of various kinds of hedge plants
from one to three years old. Msny ever
green's he cultivates for that purpose. His
hot houses contain great variety of tropical
plants. In order to raise certain alpine plants
he built rockery, which resembles a small
mountain, the base OF which is sc yeral feet be-
low the ground. On one side is a small lake
for aquatic flowers, on the sides and summit
are alpine shrubs and flowers, which seem as
much at home as when on the summit of
their native mountains. The rocks draw the
moisture from the lake at the bottom, which
Keeps them from drying up. Although this
roekery contains very large quantity of
rocks, yet Mr.. b. informed me that the near
est distance that he obtained any of them
was sixty miles. / presume that no articles
sold from this department OF his grounds will
ever pay the expense, but it will help give
reputation to his business. -,.f -
In many places in Ireland and Scotland, in
addition to beech, buckthorn and evergreens,
they use the h oily, which is quite plenty in
those places. z1Llr : b5'15ii
~ ~ aod A. II. ABBOTT
We have no doubt Beech would make q
strong and impervious hedge fence. The
plants are indigenous to our soil soil and
and climate, are hardy and make sure
growth. They may be raised in nurseries by
sowing the seed in autumn and at the age of
two years transplanted to the lines where they
are to stand; or the Beech-nuts may be
sown in prepared soil where you wish the
hedge to be, and the plants permitted TO
grow whence they sprang up. Care should
be taken, however, to keep the drill free from
weeds till the plant becomes strong, and pro-
tected from cattle or other causes of injury.
Soon under the lea of any common fence,
they will in due time make an impervious
hedge. Apple seed then sown will make a
sure and strong hedge when sufficiently
grown and properly Trimmed. TRAxI.