The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-03-28
The PyracantII.

A correspondent of the "Southern
Farmer" in answer to numerous lnqui-
ries, relative to the history and merits Of
the Plant known as the "Crategus Pyr-
aeanth," now being introduced as a
hedge plant, gives the following account
of il, which may be of interest to many
Of our readers:
s'The Pyracanth is native Of South
Europe, and first brought INTO notice In
England in the year 1929, and brought
to this continent by some of the early
settlers Of Virginia, and there named
the Virginia White Thorn" There
are many Of the tribe natives of North
America, and some of Great Britain, OF
which the Cratagus Pyracantha is the
great hedge plant there. Nothing yet
known seems 50 thoroughly adapted by
nature to supply our wants as a hedge
plant as this 1t is low growing, com
pact, very thOrny, evergreen, and with
a very little aid forms a hedge as If by
nature. 1t is perfectly hardy and will
thrive equal to, and wherever the apple
grows. 1t may in the North be decidous.
There is no doubt but it will one day be
the great hedge plant Of this continent,
and will supersede for general fencing on
farm and plantation all other modes, as
there is plenty Of hedges made from 1t
(though not very extensive yeti to prove
what / say. 1t is propagated IN the nur-
series from cuttings and from seed, and
both ways are exceedingly troublesome
to get a stand of plants. Much cheaper
to buy the plants than lose money IN
irving to raise them, and those intending
TO plant would do well to prepare be
forehand Just as thoroughly as you would
for premium row Of corn. cotton, sugar,
tobacco, or anything else; the better you
prepare your ground the better viii be
the growth, and the sooner and stronger
your fence. 1t will grow in one year ac-
cording as you treat 1t, from one to SIX
feet, and makes fence III three years,
if attended to- and the great attention as
l have said is in the preparation OF the
soil, and surely no man IN this age Will
ask how to plant. As to trimming and
cutting | abominably hate both Words
| could not, and cannot see, why tree,
a hedge, anything else, should be cul-
tivated-nursed, raised into one years
growth and then deliberately cut down
at the end of the year-what you have
been striving to make. The object of
hedge is fence, to make it is to so pre-
pare as to make great growth and when
YOU get the growth keep it. Bend the
limbs down to hedge line, intertwinc
them 80 as to secure the bottom ; let 1t
grow and intertwine for so long till your
hedge is made impenetrable to rabbit or
bull, then after that you may trim OFT
surplus growth annually. | have said
nothing of cultivating, hoeing, ETC., for
the first few years strictly that is under
stood, but | would say, suppose your
hedge was growing irregularly, owing to.
perhaps, some poorer spots, then haul
and scatter over the surface some enrich
ing manure, enough to cause uniform
growth. l may still add, so as to be I'M
derstood, it is perfectly hardy on any ex-
posture, as far North as the apple, pear
and ounce grow, to all of which it is
closely related, and the same family as
any Of our native haws. 1t is known by
many names, even been COMPOUNDED with
Mesplus tribe, and very commonly
known as the Mesplus, and Virginia
White Thorn.