HEDGE PLANTS.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7380, 5 August 1889, Page 6

HEDGE PLANTS.

The following circular from the Geological Survey, Colonial Secretary's Office, addressed to the Christenurch Domain Board, raa> be of interest to our agriculcultural readers and to nurserymen, although the funds at the disposal of the Board did not enable it to entertain the speculation :— "Sir,—lt has been suggested to the Government that steps should be taken to introduce into this colony the fencing plant known as the myrobella or cherry plum (Prunus MyrobalanaJ, and with this view it has been decided to communicate with the various Domain Boards on the subject. The suggestion was made by a New Zealand farmer, who is at present in England, and who was struck by the suitableness of the plant for hedging. It is stated to be a fast grower, and more effective than thorn. I have, therefore, the honor, by direction of the Colonial Secretary, to inquire whether your Board would be prepared to order a supply of the cherry plum with a view to propagating a stock of young plants for distribution to farmers and others in the neighborhood, or for planting on the lands under the Board's control, either for hedges or for shelter, and if so, to state the number they would be prepared to purchase. For hedging from four to six plants to the yard are required, and a recent quotation for " extra strong very fine plants" is £17 10s per ten thousand (10,000>, but special quotations for larger quantities could be obtained. If a sufficient number of the Domain Boards in the colony should reepond favorably to this appeal, the Government would bft prepared to order the total number of plants required, through the AgentGeneral, and recover from the various Domain Boards the cost of the plants supplied to each."