Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-08-22
Communicated.

Upon the invitation Of Mr.. L. ii. Jones,
agent for the Dayton Hedge Co., of Dayton,
Ohio, Geo. w. Ramer, Jno. Il. Boyd, Jr !,
II. Walker Tabb and |. b. Snodgrass left
on Monday night, Aug 10, for that place.
The invitation was extended by Mr.. Jones
in order that some of our people could see
for themselves, the manner of growing
hedge fence, as now constructed under the
patents of the said company. After q
most delightful ride of over 800 miles, we
reached Dayton about noon, on Tuesday
We were driven to the Phillips Hotel. an
elegant house, where we were entertained
in royal style. After dinner, we were
driven to examine into the merits of a
fence about two miles from the city. Here
we found large field of 80 acres of seed
ling apple trees. This field is divided by
one Of these hedges, and we found the soil
worked up very close to the fence, demon
strating the fact that by this system of
hedging, the roots strike downward in
stead of spreading as in the old way.
We were next driven to the National
Soldiers Home, one mile and half from
Dayton, containing $50 acres, one of the
grandest and most beautiful places we
have ever seen. Itwould be impossible to
describe the beauties of this picturesque
and lovely spot in the short space we have
at our command. Around this enclosure
we found several miles Of this fence, which
is about nine years old, and beyond all
question of doubt the finest specimen of
hedge fence we have ever seen. 1t is about
six feet high, and runs up to cone shape.
We actually believe rat could not get
through it unless he cut his way through.
This fence is made upon an entirely new
principle. The Usage plants are first set
out and allowed to grow as high as you
want your fence, which will take from two
to three years. They are stripped of all
foliage and bent to an angle of forty-fiye
degrees, then they are securely fastened
to barbed wires-a steeple being driven
into the cane where ever the wire crosses.
This makes of itself a stock-proof fence,
but for durability, beauty and cheapness,
is unsurpassed by any kind of fence we
ever saw. The trimming is done with
long knife in the shape of a corn-cleaver.
We believe imam can trim one mile day.
We witnessed the trimming of some Of
this hedge, and saw man trim 40 rods in
as many minutes. Two of our party tried
their hands and soon proved themselves
amatuers at the art. We heard one of the
members of the company say they would
contract to trim at one cent a rod for twen-
ty years. We took special pains to inquire
into the financial standing of the company,
and found it first-class in every respect,
representing a capitol Of over $250,000 and
No. l. The city of Dayton has popula-
ton of about $4,000 and is a large manu-
featuring place-haying large ear works,
together with a number of large establish
ments for the manufacture of reapers,
mowers, horse-rakes, wagons, etc. 1t is a
beautifl city, and has many fine resid IL
ces, churches and public buildings. Our
visit firmly convinced us that the Dayton
Hedge Co. is ably conducted, and that it
viii faithfully comply with any contract
it makes. We found that the statements
made to us and our people, by the gentle
manly and energetic agent, Mr.. Il. III. Jones,
who has been in our county for several
weeks past, were true in every particular;
and we unhesitatingly recommend Mr..
Jones as reliable and trustworthy gen.
tleman. LIB. S.