The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-03-10
Hedge Fences.

why ID6 pIOPoSoOiOAi " o'S
varieties OF plants suitable for hedge
fences has not been more general,
taking into consideration their beauty
and utility and the ease with which
they can be grown.
1t has been estimated that the cost
of keeping up the fences of the
United States amounts yearly to
more than enough to pay off the en-.
tire national debt. Whether these
figures are correct or no we will not
stop to determine, but aside from
their cost and the expense OF keep
ing them up, one will not be particu-
larly struck by their beauty even
when made in good style and of the
best of material.
When we see the worm fences so
common in the rural districts, we are
constrained to call them superlatively
ugly. Our own experience is that
the average worm fence is one of the
most costly, even in a location where
rails may be procured at the lowest
prices for splitting, ranging from
five TO seven dollars and, fifty cents
per thousand.
THE EVERGREEN THORN,
(Crdtag1s Pyraca,1hd)
Well known in Louisiana under the
name of Pyracanthas, is one of the
prettiest and easily managed plants
we have in the south for hedge pur-
poses. 1t grows readily from cut
tings and by proper methods of prun-
ing will make handsome and eff.
Gent living fence in three years, if
well cultivated. We esteem this
plant very highly; as it is easily
kept within bounds, presents hand
some appearance with its wealth OF
white blossoms in early spring and
orange colored fruit which remains
on the plant during the entire win
ter.
Aside from it's value as a hedge
plant, 1t also makes a handsome Or
namental shrub for lawns, as it can
be trimmed in any shape desired and
kept in order with but very little ex-
pense.
TUE MCCARTNEY ROSE.
Rosa Brdctidtd.l
- This is also one Of our best known
hedge plants and is sometimes con-
founded with the well known Chero-
kee rose, which it differs from in
many particulars, the joints being
much shorter, and the plant OF more
compact growth. 1t also differs
from the Cherokee in the vast num-
Der of thorns with which it is armed,
and from its close habit, making a
fence grown from this variety abso-
lutelv impenetrable.
It also stands close cutting, and
may be made into very neat hedge
by annual prunings. Left to itself,
in very rich soil, it will grow to the
height of fifteen or twenty feet, its
base spreading over thirty feet in
width in this case it is liable to
many objections on account of being
a harbor for snakes, rabbits, field
rats and other vermine, but no more
so than other hedge fences of equal
density.
Upon the prairies of the Attaka-
pas this variety of the rose should be
of special value, owing to the ease
with which it can be pr opagated, and
the quickness of the growth.
We consider the Mccartney rose
by far the best hedge plant known
to the people Of the southwest.
Usage ORANGE,
Or Bots dare, is highly spoken of
as a superior hedge plant in the
states of Missouri and Illinois, and
we have seen some few hedge rows
in the latter state worthy OF notice.
Our experience with it in the south
is that it ceases to be a shrub and as.
sumes the size and appearance of
tree. 1t also exhausts the soil for a
long distance on each side Of the
hedge row, and its vigor is such that
it seems almost impossible to keep
it within any reasonable bounds.
Nevertheless, the Usage Orange has
its friends who will doubtless differ
from us in our opinion Of its value as
a live fence.
In Texas, it is much valued tor
manufacturing purposes, growing to
very large size, and the wood is
considered practically indestructible.
SPANISH DAGGER.
yucca AIoJola.)
This plant belongs to the genus
Liliacoa, and is well known in Lou.
, iSiana NunarouS atte,nO+S bava