Propagation and General Cultivation 



strong shoot to appear, and even in the event of 

 old trees or hedges that have become weak at 

 the bottom, a good cutting back will often result in 

 the formation of strong young shoots. Specimens 

 that have lost their leads can be renovated by 

 tying up a central branch. 



Feeding 



Specimens growing in poor ground that are not 

 acting in a satisfactory manner can be improved 

 by removing some of the soil from about the 

 roots and replacing it with rich loam. An 

 occasional top-dressing of well-rotted manure 

 may be given, and an application twice a year, 

 April and August, of cow-manure water. 



Enemies 



Hollies are comparatively free from insect 

 attacks. Occasionally, the young shoots and 

 leaves are attacked by a black aphis which can 

 be destroyed by spraying the affected plants 

 with a strong solution of soft soap or tobacco 

 water. A species of scale called Aspidiotus 

 britannicus attacks leaves and branches, and 

 sometimes causes serious damage. This can be 

 destroyed by spraying affected plants once every 

 ten days during the latter half of March, April, 

 and early May with strong soft soap water, into 



