194 COMMON SENSE GARDENS 



Hemlock is fine hedge material. It has a grace- 

 ful, feathery growth and, when clipped well, presents 

 a smooth appearance, the fine foliage interlacing. 

 If grown for a hedge the top should be bevelled, 

 for if left flat the snow and ice will lodge on it and 

 weigh it down, destroying the lighter branches. 

 Hemlock does well in the shade, which is more 

 than can be said of most plants that are appro- 

 priate for hedges. It should be protected from the 

 sun the first Winter, especially if it is on the south 

 side of a wall or fence, or else it will be scalded. 

 When planting, cut back the tops, and do not trim 

 it the first year or two. The Hemlock hedge on 

 the next page is on the south side of a wall, but is 

 well shaded by the Elms and Maples that sur- 

 round it. It composes beautifully with the old dry 

 rubble that shelters it from the north winds. 



Privet is a shrub that has been roundly abused 

 both in England and America; some people have 

 given up planting it because they consider it too 

 commonplace; others have torn it out for the same 

 reason and replaced it with something not half so 

 good. Nurserymen recommend other plants to 

 take its place, and one that they seem to favour 



