SIO LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



It is also remarkably elastic, and is therefore much valued 

 for bows. In ancient times, when bows and arrows were 

 the chief weapons of destruction in war, the bows made 

 of the Yew tree were valued by the ancient Britons above 

 all others. According to the Arboretum Britannicum, in 

 Switzerland, where this tree was scarce, it was formerly 

 forbidden, under heavy penalties, to cut down the Yew for 

 any other purpose than to make bows of the wood. The 

 Swiss mountaineers call it " William's tree," in memory 

 of William Tell. 



The Yew, like the Holly, makes an excellent evergreen 

 hedge — close, dark green, and beautiful when clad in the 

 rich scarlet berries. We desire, however, rather to see 

 this tree naturalized in our gardens and lawns as an 

 evergreen tree of the first class, than in any other form. 

 Judging from specimens which we have growing in our 

 own grounds, we should consider it quite hardy anywhere 

 south of the 41° of latitude. And although it is somewhat 

 slow in its growth, yet, like many other evergreens, it is as 

 beautiful when a small bush or a thrifty young tree, as it is 

 venerable and picturesque when ages or even centuries 

 have witnessed its never failing verdure. It appears to 

 grow most vigorously and thrive best on a rich and heavy 

 soil, and in situations rather shaded than exposed to a 

 burning sun. 



There are several beautiful varieties of the Yew (Taxus 

 haccata) cultivated in the nurseries; the Irish Yew (T. h. 

 fastigiata), remarkable for its dark green foliage, and very 

 handsome, upright growth, and the Yellow berried Yew 

 (T. h.fructo-jiava), are the most ornamental. 



The North American Yew {T. canadensis) is a low 

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