The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1885-12-19
HEDGE FENCES.


An Improvement Which Has Not Proved
Profitable in the West-A New Method of
Fencing.
The practice of surrounding fields
with hedges for the purpose of protect
ing the crops from animals, which was
introduced into various parts of this
country after posts and boards became
expensive, and when fence-rails could
not be readily obtained. has, since the
introduction of barbed wire, been gen.
orally abandoned. The hedge-row,
which was so popular in England and
in several countries ON the continent of
Europe, was never a great success in
the United States. We have had no
hedge plant that was adapted to the
soil and climate of any large portion
of the country. The Usage orange.
which was obtained from Texas, did
fairly we'll in localities where the win
tiers were not very severe and where
there was good natural drainage. 1t
failed where the winters were very long
and cold, and in places where there
was insufficient drainage. Several en-
terprising persons made fortunes in
selling seeds and plants. and others
realized considerable in selling works
on hedges, and implements for trim
ming them. A few obtained q living
during several seasons by taking con-
tracts to set out Osage-orange plants
and to keep them in proper condition
till they would make an efficient
hedge.
Lack of plant that was adapted to
a varying climate and a great diversity
of soil is not the only thing that pre-
vented the general establishment OF
hedges in this country. Few of our
farmers understood how to raise, SET
out and properly manage hedge-plants
so as to form a beautiful and useful
living fence, such as is seen in foreign
countries. Many attempted to per-
form all their operations by the aid
of such information as they
obtained from circulars issued
by the nurserymen who dealt in seeds
and plants or the manufacturers OF
hedge-trimming implements. 1t is no
great wonder that they failed. Hedg-
ing is an art that can not be learned by
reading the circular of an advertiser or
short article in paper. 1t is trade
that must be learned under suitable
instructor. 1t must be practiced for a
considerable time before one having
natural aptitude for it can become an
expert In countries where hedges are
alike beautiful and effective in stopping
cattle professional hedgers have charge
of the plants from the time they are
Cd - 1 ~ ha hor ok
tanned their full growth. Even then
they continue to prune them every sea-
son.
During the past few years more rods,
of hedgerows have been uprooted in
the West than have been planted. The
barbed wire, which was suggested by
the barbed bush, has taken the place
Of it in forming protection for fields.
STILL there is growing interest in
hedges in many parts OF the West,
Especially is this the case among farm
ers who have their places well i'm
proved. They have fields surrounded
by fence made of posts and barbed
wire. They stop the progress of
stock of all kinds, but they are in
visible at distance and unsightly
when the beholder is near them, Many
farmers are accordingly setting out
rows of fruit, barberry, arbor-vitN or
hawthorn ON the lines where they i'm
tend to have division fences. Some
are planting trees rod apart in these
rows, partly with a view of affording
variety and partly for supporting
barbed wire. 1t is the intention to at
tach the wire to the trees instead of to
posts The plan is an excellent one.
These fences will be ornamental as
well as useful. They will beautify the
farm, while they will afford consdera-
BILE protection against winds. They
will greatly improve the appearance OF
the fields they surround and render
them more productive of crops that
require some protection. - Chicago
Times.