The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-02-17
Ansbanarp.
From the Southern Cultivator.
Pyracanthus as a Hedge Plant.


Editors Southern Cultirator Were l asked
what constitutes a good hedge plant?-I should
say LIST. Ease of propagation; 3D. Density and
rapidity of growth; Sd. Hardness under. change
of temperature 4th. Controability. OF the cor
rectness of this answer | will let others Judge. If
it be correct, know of no plant which combines
these qualifications more fully than the Pyracan-
thus. From cuttings, its propagation is perfectly
easy. In good loose SOIL with ordinary mois.
ture, not one out of hundred will die if properly
planted at suitable season, | have no doubt of
the practicability of raising it from Seed but of
this [ cannot speak advisedly. 1t is dense in its
growth, keeping constantly thick beneath, by the
lower branches taking root whenever they touch
the ground. The spreading habit of the plant
greatly favors this operation. Its growth is rapid
| have hedge planted in November, 1866, which
is three feet in breadth, and measuring to the
top of this years sprouts, four feet in height, al
though it was cut down to within twelve inches of
the ground. Like most hedges it must be kept
down for the first few seasons.
There are hedges of the Pyracanthus here, seven
or eight years old, four feet thick, and SO inter.
| locked that neither chicken, shoat or OK, can
penetrate them, their formidable thorns bidding
defiance to all alike. With regard to hardness,
it is PROFESSIONALLY so, neither the frosts nor
freezes of winter, or the burning heat of summer
having any effect upon it. 1t can be found grow
ing very luxuriantly on the very brink of hard clay
bluffs and also in the dampest bottoms. Its con-
Probability is perect-it can be trimmed as straight
as plank fence, and one or two cuttings year is
sufficient. 1t has no rampant growth to shade the
land-no wide.spreading roots to impoverish it.
| [ was born among the far-famed Hawthorn
hedges of England and well do remember their
beauty in spring time, when the air was redolent
with the fragrance of their May blossoms and
vocal with the songs Of their feathered inhabi-
tants. With all my love for my native land, Il
love it passing well) and all that belongs to it,
must say, that if there is difference between the
Hawthorn and the Pyracanthus as hedge plant,
it is in favor of the latter. First, because the
Pyracanthus is an ever green, and the Haw thorn
is not; next, because Haw- thorn hedges will, at
times, grow thin at the bottom.
Though there are doubtless, many better rlans
vi mdhiuS d neuSo lHdu uy oWH lOT Cne DeueHt
of those who have no experience in the matter.
[ will give it. The first step is to dig trench
just the width and depth of spade, throwing back
half the earth into the trench, but reversing the
the top for the bottom SOIL Next, the cuttings
are set in double row, straight up, and bent or
broken an inch or so from the lower end, against
opposite sides of the trench one foot apart in the
rows, letting the plants in one row stand opposite
the spaces in the other The earth must be filled
in as the work proceeds, either with the hand or
short handled hoe When the soil is very stiff a
little woodsearth or sand should be substituted for
portion of the soil removed The cuttings should
be hard wood and freshly cut. The early part of
November is generally good time for planting.
As a rule, freedmen will not do the work we'll un-
less closely watched as the thorns hurt their hands
and they will throw the cuttings in, any way to
keep from handling them. When economy in
cuttings is our object, doubtless single ron, one
foot apart, will answer quite well. For field cul-
ture, the plough can be brought into use.
have written the above that may contribute
my mite to your pre- eminenty useful journal, and
because [ think that, though mans light may
be but talow dip, he has no right to hide it un-
der bushel. OBSERVER.
Marion, Ala., Sept, 10Th 1868.