UNDER THE SHADE OF TREES. 375 



There is no difficulty, except in the cases already noted, in 

 planting and growing a healthy crop of evergreen shrubs and low- 

 trees beneath deciduous trees when well managed and with ample 

 space for their full development. 



Of low trees, holly and yew are the best evergreens for this 

 purpose, and they will thrive in almost any soil, free from 

 stagnant moisture, in which deciduous trees grow well. Among 

 shrubs, the common rhododendron {R. ponticum), Mahonia (Berberis 

 aquifolium), and box, are the best, and grow well in a gi-eat variety 

 of soils and situations. The rhododendron is the most beautiful, 

 and thrives in almost every variety of soil not strongly impregnated 

 with calcareous matter. It has a partiality for moist soils, and a 

 cool subsoil; but thrives admirably on a stiff clay, as well as on 

 a light sandy soil, if of moderate depth, and it has proved hardy 

 enough to withstand the rigour of our severest winters, even at 

 high altitudes and in exposed places. The Mahonia closely 

 approaches the rhododendron in general usefulness. It grows freely 

 in the same soils, and has no aversion to lime in the soil. It is 

 easily raised from seed, which it produces in abundance in this 

 country, and it ought to be more cultivated for undergrowth than 

 it has yet been. The box is a very accommodating plant, and 

 thrives under as dense shade as freely as any other shrub we possess ; 

 but it must not be planted in soil impregnated with saline matter, 

 nor within reach of the spray from the ocean, as salt in any shape 

 is fatal to it. The yew, rhododendron, and box are proof against 

 the attack of ground game, a most valuable quality in underwood. 

 In the severest winters, rabbits may slightly nibble them, but they 

 are never seriously injured, or kiUed outright, like holly and young 

 forest trees. 



The common bay laurel, Portugal laurel, Aucuha jcqMJiica, ever- 

 green privet, arbutus, and laurestinus, are all excellent evergreen 

 shrubs, and grow weU in the shade ; but are liable to damage from 

 ground game, and severe frost. The Portugal laurel is the hardiest 

 of them, and the most satisfactory to the planter. Of smaller 

 shrubs, the spurge laurel, euonymus, Cotoneaster, butcher's broom, 

 common broom, and furze are all useful for certain soils and pur- 

 poses. For simply covering the ground beneath trees with a green 

 carpet of vegetation, nothing excels ivy, periwinkle, and St. John's 

 wort {Hypericum cahjmium), in the order named. These all thrive 

 well in the shade, but enjoy a moderate share of light and sunshine, 

 and should always receive it. Deciduous flowering trees and shrubs, 

 such as lilac, scarlet and double flowered thorns, laburnum, Guelder 

 rose, mock orange, flowering currant, and the like, should be freely 

 mixed in clumps or singly, among the evergreens. 



