The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-08-21
HOUSEHOLD AND FARM.
BY PICKET.

y
Usage hedges than all other causes combined
The fact that the Usage survives the treatment
1t usually receives at the hands OF the average
farmer is the strongest proof OF its value as
hedge plant With proper care and attention
it Can be made to assume nearly any shape, ana
Will make Il hedge that cat cannot penetrate
When young, it requires the same care and
culture that corn does 1t will not thrive
among weeds, nor in hard ,uncultlvated ground
With what may be called garden culture" it
will make an astonishing growth-three to
four feet the first season, and six to eight the
second,
For the benefit of those who may desire to
grow Il good hedge, will describe my method,
which Will make u hog and cattle-proof fence
in five years.
HOW TO PLANT THE HEDGE.
In the fall pillow strip of land where the
hedge Is to stand at least ei ght feet wide. II
the ground be dry and rolling, throw the land
outward, leaving the turrow in the centre; II
it is level or heavy, throw it toward the centre
In the spring, when the land is dry and IN
good condition, pillow the strip again. making
ridge where the row is to- stand. Harrow
and thoroughly pulverze then pillow deep,
straight furrow IN the centre OF the ridge, driv-
in gyOur team slowly and straight, and holding
the pillow as steadily in one position as possible
Have your plants as near one size as posi-
bic. Large and small plants should never be
mixed, rs one invariably 0ugrows the other,
and makes "A ragged uneven hedge. Cut them
down to twelve To fourteen inches In length,
put them in Il wagon and cover with wet
straw. Drive the wagon alongside OF the row,
and taking bunch of plants in one hand,
with the other rapidly set them seven or eight
inches apart, leaning them against the low
side Of the turrow. Have man follow close
ly with hoe covering the roots with part OF
the mellow earth thrown out of the turrow.
While you get another handful of plants have
him walk on the roots Of the plants ust set,
and firm them down.
Havlng finished the row, take your pillow 1--WE
will suppose you nave a rght-hand plow),
and setting the clevls to throw ii as far rs pos
slble to The right drive the ot1.horsc close
alongside Of the furrow, and turn the earth
thrown out back again on the roots OF the
plants: follow with hoe ana stralghtcn up
and uncover any plants that may require 1t.
PlOW two more burrows, then smooth the
whole with the back of the harrow. INo men
with team, and Il smart hoy 10 Urop the
plants, can set Il mile III one day easily.
TIDE AFTER CULTURE
In three or four weeks the row should be
hoed, and rs often thereafter as possible. Keep
all weeds down, and the earth mellow at least
four feet on each side of the hedge Don't
pillow nor cultivate nearer than two feet. We
find close blowing the first year docs more
harm than good.
The second year the cultivation Is similar to
that OF the first, only that the pillow and Cu
tvator may be used more than the hoe. MOI
cutting or trimming is needed. Should there
happen to be any vacant spaces Of two feet or
over, replant them early IN the spring with
strong, vigorous plants then cut the adjoining
two or three plants off close to the ground
This Will give the new plants chance TOT
start.
TRIMMING AND PRUNING.
Early in the spring Of the third year, trim
the plants up close on both sides, and pillow
and hoe AZ before In blowing this year
throw the earth towards the hedge, but don't
run the plOw nearer than four feet of it,
Nearer than that will cut the roots, and be
sides rCtardIng its growth, will cause sprouts
to start up where they are not needed. BY
trimming the branches off thisyear, "A straight,
strong growth of wood will be secured for next
year. Use a sharp hedge knife, and do Il
smooth, clean job
LAYING THE HEDGE.
The fourth year is the critical period. The
work done this year means a iirstclasS fence
or q bad botch. Trim off the branches from
bottom to top as close as possible, then, In
March or April, when the ground is thawed
out, lay the hedge. This requires two men,
and the leader must be either yourself or a
bTckskin gloves, a hedge.knife and a light,
sharp axe are required for TIE work.
Beginning at one end of the row, cut OFT the
first three or four plants three feet from the
ground Cut the top off the next one, leaving
1t six to eight feet long. Grasp it with both
hands and bend 1t down slowly close alongside
OF the row. As you bend 1t down, your assist
ant gives it light cut with the axe close to
the ground. If cut just right, as you bent 1t
down it Will split down into the root and that
is exactly what you want IT cut too much 1t
will break; If not enough it will split upward,
and leave hole under the base. BY carefully
watching as you bend, your assistant will soon
learn to cut just right ninety-nine times IN a
hundred
When you find the plants bends right inter
lace II with those left standing, and press it
down until the upper end is about two and a
hat feet from the ground. Now take the next
and proceed as before, bringing 1t down until
the upper end rests on the first plant. Leave
about every third or fourth plant standing to
inerlacc the Others through, and hold them in
position. There are several little points which
can only be learned by experience, such as the
use of small stakes and twigs when the plant
persists IN flying up from its place. Should
you find vacant space of two or more feet
lay the nearest plant nearly flat on the ground
across it, and pm it there with a small stake,
THE FIFTH YEAR AND AFTER
In the latter part Of August or early in Sep
tender Of the fifth year. the sides of the hedge
should tie trimmed up within foot of the
main stem with sharp cOrn-knie This will
be all the attendance it will require this year
If any part of it udjoins a pasture, the stock |
Will be apt to trim that side sufficiently close |
and u should not be cut
Early IN the spring of the sixth year, cut all |
down 10 four feet hig, and in August or Sep.
TENDER Trim the sides sufficiently close, and It |
glOulu not be cut.
Early in the spring ofthe sixth year, cut all