The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-05-25
HEDGES AND HEDGE TRIMMING.
Varieties and How to Set Out and Care
for Them.

Although it is generally admitted that
hedges are more slightly than wire or
wooden fences, there are two main rea-
sons which have operated against their
more general adaptation. One is the
unwillingness on the owners part to
| wait for ahedge to grow, and the other
is the almost universal notion that ev-
crything in the form of tree should
make good" without the help of man.
II is, therefore, inevitable that owing
to this childish impatience, and ignor-
ance fthe habits Of hedge plants, that
there are scores of neglected ones to
everyone properly cared for.
In setting out hedge, the first ques-
ton will be what kind OF special plants
to use? The choice depends, in a meas
ure, upon latitude, altitude, and the ma
ture of the soil. The following varieties
will meet the requirments of a wide
range of climatic conditions; the cock
spur thorn, a native tree with very long
sharp spines and bearing bright red fruit
in the autumn; the English or common
hawthorn; the bnckthorn (Rhamnus Ca
tharticus) with dark green foliage, white
flowers and small black fruit; California
privet; honey locust; American, and
Siberian, arbot vita; Norway spruce,
and hemlock.
How to Plant the Young Canes.
If protection is what is need, the
thorns and honey locusts will answer
the purpose admirably. The California
privet may also be used for this by set
ting the plants alternately on either
side of abarbed wire Tense with concrete
or iron posts. Eventually the hedge
grows up and completely hides the fence.
The evergreens are chiefly used as
screens from passersby and from winds,
the hemlock making one of the most |
perfect and beautiful screens known, es
pecially in winter, with its dark green |
eoloring. II rapid-growing as well as
handsome hedge is wanted, the best /
shrub will be the California privet, and
as the honey locust happens to be grown
and treated in the same way, IL will be .
OF interest TO know Just how TO set out |
and care for them. Although as a mat
ter Of fact the general principles govern
ing the care and pruning Of all hedges
is the same in the main.
First comes the marking out and prep.
aration of the soil. The richer the soil,
the quicker the hedge viii grow, so
plough deep, and if the subsoil is hard,
follow the plough with subsoiler, re-
moving all stones Of any sire, and then
spreading a heavy coat of well-rotted
manure, or commercially treat
I'd COW manure. or prepared humus, the
two later of which may be purchased
through any seed house. This should
hen be spaded into the soil thoroughly
20 that the entire strip looks rich and
lark. The bed should then be gone over
with an iron rake until the whole is fine
Ind level. In ordering plants, have them
ls nearly three feet high as possible, and
Ifter they arrive their roots should not
,e allowed TO become dry for a moment,
" many Of them will die. When ready
or planting, dig out a shallow trench ,
vide enough for the side roots 10 spread
nut and deep enough for the plants TO
tand the same depth a. in the nursery,
With nine inches between them, set IN 4
ouble alternating rows. They must be
veil watered % settle the earth about
hem satisfactorily.
The hedg set out, prune IL 20 within :
wo inches Of the ground. The neglect 4
{ cutting back al the start causes q 2
edge 10 become thin, narrow. and full {
( gaps AZ the bottom (where. Of course,
should be thickestl and dense and
az the top, where II il less
ssentiai Thus do not fail b cut out
be fret fine growth. The second spring.
v which time the roots have become
thoroughly established, there win BE- two
boots instead Of one. which are cut Of
Ist where the previous cut was made,
I'd a. = result the original stem vii
iicken M wonderfully. and by the third
prinR there viii BE- 10 or u branches
Dreading out like q fan. These are