198 COMMON SENSE GARDEN^ 



Mature Privet does not seem to be affected much 

 by drought unless planted very near rock, but it 

 can absorb a great deal of moisture and does better 

 when provided with it; young plants should be 

 carefully watered in dry seasons to assure their 

 good health. It will grow in partial shade but will 

 not thrive there; the part of a hedge that is under 

 the trees always looks scraggly and mean. In 

 some parts of New England, in exposed positions, 

 Privet cannot be successfully grown. It will do 

 well apparently in any ordinary soil, but its de- 

 velopment is wonderful in light loam. Be sure to 

 top dress the plants in the Fall, and fork in the 

 old manure in the Spring. 



If a Privet hedge is used to enclose a garden, 

 have paths parallel it, and leave only a space of 

 two feet or so between the paths and the hedge. 

 The stone filling of the path will keep the roots of 

 the Privet from intruding on the garden, and from 

 sucking up the moisture and substance from the 

 soil. In the bed that borders the hedge you will 

 be able to grow Nasturtiums, but not much else. 

 The tall growing Nasturtium is the best for the 

 purpose, and as it grows it should be trained over 



