THE PROBLEM OF HOLLY 



And this has been the province of the padrone. And 

 although on many an occasion at first the padrona bewailed 

 bitterly, almost tearfully, that he 

 was making the place "simply 

 scald," it is now generally admitted 

 that the result has proved a matter 

 for congratulation. 

 There have been a few mistakes, 

 no doubt. It was not easy, for in- 

 stance, in the case of Holly, and 

 perhaps also of Rowan, for the be- 

 ginner to distinguish which clump 

 was likely to bear the decorative 

 winter coral and which not. Seeing 

 what some of our Hollies in a good 

 season can be <that which closes 

 the prospect at the north end 

 of our Hemicycle, for example, 

 what a glory of pure scarlet it 

 displays when all bright colours have 

 disappeared from the garden ! ) we 

 regret not to have spared a few more. 

 Nevertheless, it is a wise decision, in - ." 

 grounds overgrown by underwood, that delendum est Hex 

 Aquifoliumthat Common Holly must go. 

 In the first place, nothing will grow under the shade of its 

 dark leathery, spinous leaves, which, even when shed, are 

 more indestructible and noxious to grass than pine needles 

 themselves. And, secondly, Holly is a very bully and brigand 

 among growing trees. Its vitality and pushfulness over- 

 masters everything. Your young Holly will thrust aside 



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