152 THE FLORIST, 



changed. We allude to the introduction of evergreen hedges every 

 where, composed of Hollies instead of '* Quick," which Mr. Barron 

 advocates, and which we hope to see adopted. 



The book now before us begins with a historical description of 

 the gardens and grounds at Elvaston. Then it treats of the advan- 

 tages to be derived from the general adoption of many comparatively 

 new and valuable evergreen trees in our ornamental grounds, parks, 

 and plantations. A chapter is devoted to the pictorial effects which 

 may be produced by judicious arrangement in planting, with due atten- 

 tion to the selection of colours or gradations of tints amongst the 

 different varieties of evergreens. Other chapters are on transplant- 

 ing large trees ; on the evils arising from the pot-culture of such 

 plants as should ultimately become trees; on public prejudices against 

 plants raised from cuttings, grafts, or layers, attempted to be re- 

 moved ; on the formation of rocks and water ; on the general adop- 

 tion of evergreen hedges throughout the country ; and on a selection 

 of the most valuable evergreen trees and shrubs which are now 

 available for ornamental and useful planting, with concise popular 

 descriptions. These subjects are all handled with a taste and skill 

 which reflect much credit on the author. 



Mr. Barron has a great predilection for evergreens, which he 

 would have planted not only around our residences, but in clumps 

 here and there over the country at large. He says — 



" Around the mansions of the great and wealthy of our land, 

 where something like pictorial effect is expected, it is seldom to be 

 found; and especially that snugness and shelter indispensable to 

 real comfort during the portion of the year when most wanted. 



I would be the last to quarrel with the majestic ramifications of 

 the king of the forest, or even some of his less stately attendants ; 

 neither would I be found disputing their value or uses, whether 

 viewed as timber, or regarding the charms many of them give to our 

 park scenery ; and I have no wish to deny that even the stag's horn, 

 or lifeless limb of an old oak in certain localities, forms an admirable 

 subject for a painter. 



I can likewise enter into and respect that venerable feeling which 

 holds sacred, and protects, certain relics of our ancestors' planting ; 

 or those shady boughs underneath which friends were wont to meet, 

 who cannot meet on earth again ; nay more, I could almost plead for 

 some, whose only beauty consists in once having been witnesses to 

 the playful sports of our childhood. But I have little sympathy 

 with the admirer of fields enclosed by stone walls, or soil embank- 

 ments, simply because he has not been accustomed to look upon 

 the beauty of hedges ; nay, I pity the man, in these days of progress 

 and improvement, who can fold his arms, and either content himself 

 with, or try to admire, that which has neither beauty nor attraction. 

 Notwithstanding for the last twenty years all the advantages of a 

 horticultural press, and the strenuous and most successful exertions 

 of botanical collectors (owing no doubt to the praiseworthy and 

 spirited individuals who have sent them out at no small pecuniary 

 risk), to enrich our shrubberies and plantations — what is so common 



