The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-08-23
Pertaining to Hedges.

ftrthlut0S W I1tuScS
The interestin hedges was declining
in this country before barbed wire was
introduced for fencing purposes. In
point of fact they were never very sue
cessful over a wide extent of territory.
The idea of hedges was introduced from
Great Britain, where lumber is expen-
sive, and where labor is comparatively
cheap. Many other causes made hedges
popular in England. The of
land desired to beautify it as well as to
render it useful. The hedge was an
adornment to the place, as well a. a
protection against stock. The climate
of the country is favorable to the growth
of the hedge-plant generally cultivated.
There is seldom a lack of sufficient
moisture. Neither the cold of winter
nor the heat of summer is sufficient to
iniufs the growing plants. Nearly all
the land is well drained. If there is not
good natural drainage, tiles + en-
ployed to carry off the superfiuous water.
The hawthorne does exceedingly well
in England. Itmakes a complete hedge.
1t stops cattle and beauties the prem
Uses. The failure of hedges in this
country was due to several causes. The
GUY le tltO "eo 4Aoob
was the Usage orange. 1t was not
adapted, however, toavery wide extent
of country. 1t grows too large in the
extreme south and is too tender. to en-
dure the cold of northern winters. 1t
will not flourish well on land that is not
well drained. A great mistake was
made in the setting out and management
of hedges. The producers of hedge
plants Informed farmers that it was
easy to raise the plants and to form a
good hedge. They gave in circulars a
few simple directions. They were USE
full in selling the plants, but not in pro-
ducing good hedges. They afforded a
good Example of how "a little know1-
edge is a dangerous thing"
Knowledge, experience and skill are
all required to make a good hedge and
to keep it in order SO that it will be
serviceable and useful. The hedge must
receive attention at the proper time, no
matter whether labor is required else
where or not. Few farmers who are
engaged in general work will succeed
in making a good hedge, even if they
have a suitable plant, well drained
land, and live where the climate is IA
vorable. They will not be at sufficient
pains to learn how to do the work
properly. They will allow other labors
to interfere with the care of the hedge.
If the hedge needs attention during the
season of planting, sowing, haying, or
harvesting the chances are hat it will
be neglected. The success of hedges
in European countries is largely due to
the fact that they are set out, cultivated,
and pruned by persons who follow the
business exclusively. They often take
contracts to set out, cultivate, and
prune hedges for a term of years, and
they insure their work. They perform
all their operations at the proper time
and after the of experts. We
have had few professional hedgers in
this country, and for this reason,
among others, we have but few good
hedges. The amount of money that
has been expended in plants that never
made hedges is enormous. Much time
as we'll as money has been wasted.
Most of the plants that have been sci
out have served to disfigure the prem
ises instead of rendering. them beauti'
full. Since the Introduction of barbe6
wire scarcely any attempt has beer
made to cultivate hedge plants in this
country. During the past few year;
more hedge plants have been uprooteG
than set out. The hedge has served a
least one useful purpose. The thorn o
the plant first suggested the barb OF
the fence wire. Persons who call them
selves inventors obtained patents on
design of nature.
1t is likely that the interest in hedge
will be revived at no distant day
uoIoac will hn urorfaI fN. JanIarin
fields beautiful if not for protecting
them from stock. A. flat prairie farm
is likely to have a dreary look. A wir'
Something is required to break tn
monotony. A great relief is afforde'
by a hne hedge. AS farmers becom
wealthy and farms are improved hedge
will probably come into use to a con
siderable extent. Experiments are nov
being made with hedge plants that ar
not Indigenous to the country. Som
native but neglected plants are receiv
ing attention. Nebraska correspond
emit of the Rural NeU- Yorker writes Q
one of them:
The Burberry is the best shrub for
hedge. 1t never winter-kills it grow
on any soil lives over a hundred years
and will turn cattle, horses, sheep
hogs and even chickens, if planted i
the right way. L have a Barberr
hedge eight feet high loaded every ia.
with beautiful scarlet berries, whic
make the very best of preserves an
~jellies. l have made a very good win
of the berries every fall. The yello'
blossoms it bears in spring in tn
months of May and June ar
very understanding. The golden We
few roots are used for dyeing. M
hedge is eight years old has bee
pruned yet, and is to-day as close as
want it to be. Last year l raised fro1
$1,000 to 10000 plants, and abou
ten bushels of the berries. This yea
my hedge will be, if nothing hal
pens, loaded again with scarlet berrie:
There is no humbug about it.
can recommend the Burberry hede
to every farmer in the country Twin
either in the timber or prairie. 1t saw
a good deal of hard labor in maxim
those costly rail fences which alway
need repairing and always cause troubl
from cattle and hogs that push the
way through. The Burberry hedge he
numerous short thorns as a protection
ever if it is destroyed by fire it sprou
out from the roots again and makes
nice a hedge as ever. That it can /
planted in new or old ground l know
because l have tried it. The richer til
I ground the smaller the yield of frui
1t makes a beautiful ornamental hedg
around town lots. The best time f(
| sowing the seeds or planting the plan
l is in the fall or early in the spring. II
} seed grows better if subjected to tn
7 action of the frost. During Novembt
or early in spring is a good time fl
sowing the seed in a nursury bed
rows two feet apart, covering the see
from one and one-half to tw
inches. L have planted Barberry seec
as late as the middle of April, whic
made nice plants. The plants a /