Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1870 — Patent Method of Hedge-Growing New Grader and Ditching Machine. [ARTICLE]

Patent Method of Hedge-Growing New Grader and Ditching Machine.

Last week Dr. S. N. Caldwell sent his carriage and an invitation for us to visit him at his farm just over the Newton county line, seven or eight miles west of Rensselaer. We arrived at the Doctor’s house at dinner time and sat down to a well supplied board. At that time we were convalescing from an attack of the dumbest ague that ever debilitated a poor mortal and our acquaintances will understand what is meant when we say that we ate heartily. After dinner the genial Doctor explained to us a method of hedgegrowing which he has recently invented and obtained letters patent for. The plan is as follows: 1. A ridge is thrown up about sixteen inches high, or as high as desired, from twelve to sixteen feet wide, gradually sloping each way and terminating on either side in a gutter from eight to twelve inches deep. Upon the apex or comb of this ridge the hedge plants are set from a foot to sixteen inches apart, using only about half the number ordinarily planted. 2. The plants are permitted to grow until the third year without cutting, unless it may be to trim off the lateral or side branches. Tho third year the terminal bud is cut out, which causes the young trees to grow bushy topped.

3. After the tops have well formed the trees are bent down until the stems are parallel with one another at an aDgle of 20° to a perpendicular and are about four inches apart from center to center. This is accomplished by cutting off the lateral roots on the side opposite the direction the tops are laid and making the bend in the roots. Itisclaimed for this inventionthat a stronger, more durable, and in every respect better hedge can be made in less time, with less labor and at less expense than by the usual method of cutting back, or the no less objectionable plan of lopping. We might extend our article to an indefinate length comparing the patent plan with those .commonly in vogue among hedge-growers and advocated by writers upon the subject of hedge-making, but must leave the subject unfinished and notice another invention recently patented by Dr. Caldwell and Mr. Burton which wo shall take the responsibility to christen