Ill 



THE USES OF THE HOLLIES 



THE majority of the cultivated Hollies 

 are grown solely on account of their 

 decorative value, and their useful- 

 ness in this direction quite over- 

 shadows other uses to which some of the species 

 can be put. As decorative plants they may be used 

 in a variety of ways, such as isolated lawn speci- 

 mens, bold groups on lawns, plantation work, 

 or undergrowth in moderately thin woods. 

 As a hedge plant the " Common Holly " has 

 few equals for British gardens, whilst in part of 

 the United States the same can be said of the 

 " American Holly" (I. opaca). 



To the " Common Holly " several qualities 

 are attributed other than purely decorative ones, 

 and a glance at these may not be out of place. 

 In Gray's British Plants reference is made to 

 the berries of the " Common Holly " being used 

 in cases of colic, whilst the following extract 

 bearing on the medicinal qualities is taken from 

 the Treasury of Botany. " The leaves are 

 stated on good authority to be equal to Peruvian 

 bark in the cure of intermittent fevers. The 

 B 19 



