INTRODUCTION 



THE usefulness of the various Hollies, 

 Yews and Boxes for garden decora- 

 tion, coupled with the fact that many 

 of the best sorts are but little known, 

 furnished the inducement for the preparation of 

 the present work. At the same time it was con- 

 sidered advisable to append a descriptive list of 

 other useful evergreens. With the exception of 

 the Yews, Conifers have not been dealt with 

 through lack of space. 



The Hollies, Yews and Boxes, on account of 

 their general usefulness, are dealt with more fully 

 than other subjects, and in addition to descriptions 

 of most of the best sorts being given, notes on 

 cultivation and uses are introduced, with a selec- 

 tion of extracts from various works on the super- 

 stitious legends, poetry, etc., attached to each 

 group. 



As the most important group, the Hollies 

 occupy the premier position. The " Common 

 Holly " and its numerous varieties form a very 

 extensive and varied group, which is treated as 



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