FLOWERING AND OTHER HEDGES 329 



it can be bought cheaply. The ground should 

 be well treated in the first place ; afterwards it will 

 require little attention in the way of feeding. It can 

 be clipped at almost any time, but for the first year 

 or two should be cut hard back before growth begins 

 in the spring. Neglect of this leads to a hedge that 

 is leafy at the top but bare at the bottom. In this 

 note the use of Privet is not wholly condemned, but 

 it must be understood its use is not recommended. 

 There is no doubt whatever that for town gardens 

 the Privet is of the greatest service, enduring smoke 

 and fog with impunity. It is vigorous, and soon 

 becomes established in the most dreary gardens. 



LAURELS. Any of the various forms of the Common 

 and Portugal Laurels with the types are suitable for 

 what may be called second-rate hedges, the best 

 being the Pyramid Portugal, which is a smaller- 

 leaved and more upright-growing kind than any of 

 the others. With the exception of the last-named, 

 all the Laurels make hedges rather wide for their 

 height, and all require much attention to keep them 

 in proper shape. All should be clipped in June, 

 after the first growth is made ; they will then make 

 another short growth, which will keep the hedge in 

 good condition until the following year. The Pyramid 

 Portugal has leaves about half the size of those of 

 the type and quickly makes a hedge. It is rather 

 more expensive than the commoner Laurels, but it 

 moves well, and does not become bare at the bottom. 



OSMANTHUS ILICIFOLIUS. This plant has not 

 been much used for hedges, but it makes a very good 



