The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1870-05-05
Management Of Hedges.
A hedge grower in the Gate City
writes as follows: -. IA -

Management Of Hedges.
A hedge grower in the Gate City
write. ~ follows: sss,.gs.- ss.,-s .. g,ss
"Experiences has demonstrated the
fact thst certain theories ~ tn the prop
er way to manage young hedge, that
It may become and remain q fence, are
Yet we see farm journals
directly in the face of demonstrated facts
to the contrary, continue to recommend
modes Of trimming which are practical
ly wore than useless.
Mr.. Geo. Ackland, Of this county, one
ofthe best aud most successful farmers
Under adverse circumstances, in the
county, set u hedge around his garden,
aud according To the iis"L~ - ..,..,..in,
so often recommended set out with n de-
termination to keep It down so that 1t
would become, AMI remain. a fence for
all ordinary purposes, but although
trimmed many times a year; yet Mt last
tn dread Of all hedge owners, "hoes
al the bottom," compelled him to give
it up; hard earned and vexatious expe-
rience. yet how easily avoided! Let
any doubting Thomas make u practical
test; he will soon learn how to save
himself much labor, vexatinns and dis
appointments. First set the plants
some four to six inches apart. then cul-
tiva,e with all diligence with view to
get as great a growth of wood as pos~i-
ble. cutting none away; when, If rightly
managed. in three years you are pre-
pared to lay your hedge and have a
fence on the fourth, or p.,s>ibly you may
have fence that will turn everything
from pig mp to stag without its being
laid for few wears. t,ut i'm time the
thorns fall off from the old part Of the
stalk and lower branches Then it must
hc laid to be in fact what it il in name
"a hedge fence. Mr.. Scott. an English.
man. introduced the best form Of laid
hedge in this country. Some rows that
he laid near fifteen years ago, then left
by the owner uncared for to this day.
are Yet good fence. Specimens Of his
skill in making 4 fence from rows set
aud poorly cultivated for season. then
left to struggle for life in 10 the osage)
strange land until not more than half
stand was left, are plenty for many
miles around. His methoi is somewhat
as follows: First cut all the branches
rff from one side of the row, if along a
highway the inside; if for cross fence,
which ever side is convenient. Then
cut the first stalk off up as high as the
fence is to he when done. Then cut the
next one at least half off at the grn""d,
laying it lengthwise over the row at
about an angel of forty-fve degrees on
one side of the stub first left. Then
lay over the second stalk the same way,
on v on the other side Of the stub, and
so on taking care to leave about every
fifth stalk a stub high enough for the
fence-thus laying four out Of five about
half way over lengthwi>e the row, each
one alternately on the right and left
side of the stubs, which not only serve
to hold the half laid over stalks from
rising up. but they also have the equally
important effect to prevent the row
from swaying in the wind until the half
cut off stalks at the bottom have time
to head over. They trim the top to a
level as low as desired and the task is
done. AL this should be done in the
Spring before the leaves start, while the
bark is tight to the wood. If done
when the bark would peel, it would he
sure death to u II the laid over stalks. A
good hatchet will do to cut the stalks
at the bottom rs You lay them over.
using a long handled hedge knife to
side down with. a. little practice will
soon enable II man of ordinary intelli-
gence to lay forty rods day more or
less, according to the aye Of the hedge,
with Il ru!ficient understanding Of what
is heeded. The practical part is easily
attained, but it would pay amy man who
has quarter Of n mile t., 'ay III, go
DAYS journey, if necessary, and see for
himself what has been done in this line,
for il not done well tie first time it can
not be @oiie welt ut al, at least I have
seen none that could be done half 50
we'll the second ATTEMPT ~ it could have
been done the first time if properly un-
derstTni. Ia this way, nr work is re-
quired, except cultivation, for the first
three years. Then if few plants are
missing here aud there, wAen once
rightly laid it wonid he u perfect fence.
After it is laid it should he kept closely
trimmed, but il not trimmed at all it
will remain good fence for more years
than it has yet beentested in this vicin-
Hy.