The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-09-02
Hedge Plants and Hedges,

Therearc a great number OF shrubs
and plants which will make coed
hedges, with good care and culture,
proper. pruning and training. But
all hedge plants II not equally
adapted to every locality, and what
will make a good hedge in one local
ity. will not do at all for another.
For instance, the Usage orange,
which makes a splendid hedge ii
Central and Southern Illinois, would
not succeed as far north rs Wiscon-
sin. as it would be frozen down to
the ground every winter; nor would
it do as far south as Louisiana, for
without great care and trouble you
would have nothing but a row Of
trees instead of a hedge.
In the most northern part of the
United States and the Canadas, the
honey locust is used for hedges and
answers a good purpose, for it is a
very hardy tree, and Of slow growth
in the North. 1t would grow here,
but weshould find the same objection
to it, that we do to the Usage orange.
In England, nothing could be bet
ter, or make a more beautiful hedge,
than the hawthorn; yet it would be
entirely worthless here; as it would
not stand our hot summers.
In some parts Of Europe, the
basket willow is used for hedges,
and answers the double purpose Of
fencing and basket making.
The manner of it's cultivation is
very interesting and simple; being
usually planted from cuttings about
three inches apart, in one straight
row, and, when two years old, stakes
are driven one foot apart and the long
pendulOuS branches are woven in,
horizontally, close to the ground.
The next year they are woven in
again the same as before, only a
little higher, and SO on, until the
fence is of the height required. Then
it is evenly pruned each War, and
the branches either made into bas-
kets on the place, Or sold to those
who wish to work them UP, which
makes the fence a source Of profit,
instead OF q continual expense.
We might mention many more
hedge plants, and give their rCla-
tive merits and dement's, but We
shall speak Of only one more-the
pyracantha or evergreen thorn, and
this we may safely say, is most ad.
mirably adapted ito the climate OF
Louisiana. OF the evergreen thorn.
there are two varieties: the red
fruited, with berries about the size
of the red haw, which grow in clus,
tiers and remain On the bush, from
August till March the other variety
bears white berries, though in other
respects resembles the one just DIES
cribed.
This hedge has been planted to 8
limited extent in various parts o.
the South, and so far as we have
seen or heard from, it has give1
universal satisfaction.
Unfortunately, the evergreen thorI
will not grow from seed; hence, il
must be propagated by layers or cut
tings. Cuttings will not do well fol
planting directly in the hedge, as
many will not grow consequently
you have many gapes which can b.
avoided when you have good vel
rooted plants.
When good plants are used, they
may be planted one, two, or ever
three feet apart, and with good cul
tivation, a good substantial hedge
may be made in three years.. NJ
professional hedger is required, fol
no pruning is necessary and the cul
tivation is as simple as that of cor1
or cotton.
In our October number, we viii
give some practical rules for making
hedges of the evergreen thorn.