Holly, Yew and Box 



to keep the sides and top clipped back at least 

 once a year. This work may be done either in 

 spring or autumn, April being a good time, as 

 young growth then quickly appears to hide 

 mutilated leaves. Some old writers recommend 

 cutting hedges back with a knife to save the dis- 

 figurement of the leaves ; this of course is im- 

 practicable where large hedges are concerned. 

 If the annual cutting back is persisted in, a hedge 

 soon becomes very dense, and it is almost im- 

 possible to see into it. One can very easily 

 understand the redoubtable Wallace being quite 

 safe on the occasion, when over six centuries ago 

 he is stated to have hidden from his enemies in a 

 hedge "Off great Hollyns that grew baith 

 heych and greyn." (See Johnstons Botany of 

 the Eastern Borders.} 



In some parts the practice still prevails, as it 

 did in Evelyn's time, of allowing standards to 

 grow out of and above hedges, and sometimes 

 variegated foliaged sorts are employed, alternated 

 with green, for the purpose. In some positions 

 this arrangement is very effective, but it is not 

 desirable in all cases. 



For uncommon hedges where money is no 

 object the stronger growing gold and silver 

 varieties might be employed, whilst for an informal 

 fence in a prominent position, the low growing, 

 but elegant, tiny leaved I. crenata would be a 

 desirable subject. 



34 



