The National tribune., 1882-04-15

HEDGES, CONTINUED. The only form ii
which hedge can be kept, to be of service
rs a fence, is that Of pyramid. When ii
has attained height of five feet, it should
be at least three feet wide at the base OF
surface of the ground. All pruning must be
directed with view TO securing this form
When the plants are first set out, they should
be pruned back to within three inches of the
ground, and allowed to grow undisturbed
during the first season, their growth in the
meantime being encouraged by judieious
cultivation. AT the termination of the
yearly growth, the plants should be again
pruned down to within four inches of the
first pruning, and the side shoots below this
point also be removed to within an inch of
the main stem. This severe pruning of the
branches will give to the roots a vigorous
impulse; the buds will burst early in the
spring, and strong shoots will be the result
During this second years growth the hedge
may be partially shaped by repressing the
growth of the strongest perpendicular shoots
and encouraging those of horizontal ten
dency. Practically this is accomplished by
going over the plants, about the end of June.
and cutting all upright shoots back to a point
about eight inches above the previous winter
pruning, taking care not to disturb a shoot
OF leaf on the side branches below that point.
In thus cutting back the upright shoots the
side growth viii be increased, and breadth
Of base secured, which, at this stage of growth,
is the most important point of ALL In the
following winter the hedge, if it has pro-
gTessed at all favorably, may be pruned
down to fourteen inches in height from the
ground surface, with the horizontal branches
extending from nine to twelve inches on
each side. The principles of pruning are
that growth Is repressed by summer trim
ming, and encouraged, or rather, strength
ened by pruning after the leaves have fallen
by keeping these facts in mind, and prac-
tlsing accordingly, the shaping of a hedge
is only work Of time The lower branches
can always be retained as healthy, and pro-
ducc as much density OF. foliage as the up
right portion Of the plants, if the pyranidal
form IS strictly maintained; but if at aDy
time, the upright growth predominates the
lower limbs viii proportionately lose vigor.
The upright shoots should, therefore. be
pruned during summer, in order to weaken
the growth at that point, and to strengthen
and keep the base of the hedge vigorous and
close or thick. The principa! pruning of tbs
lower branches should be performed during
winter.
This is. the only way in which hedge can
be made that viii be effective as a fence: and
the neglect of the principles here suggested
Is generally the origin of the conflicting opin-
ions with regard to the value and efficiency |
of hedges as farm fences. They may receive |
some attention for year or two; but when
1t becomes thoroughly understood that they
cannot be preserved unless trimmed during !
summer, when attention and labor is largely |
absorbed in attending TO ordinary crops, |
farmers are not always disposed to give !
hedges the attention necessary to keep them !
IN good condition, and therefore they fail to
beol service. 1t should, however, be remeIa-
nered That as the hedge becomes perfect tha
yearly labor to keep it in order gradually
becomes less, and at no time does it require
SO much labor as that required to keen q
common wooden fence in good repair.
ITO he continued