66 COME INTO THE GARDEN 



than those below them, is it possible to insure 

 the latter their proper quota; and of course 

 this results in the in-sloping sides. A secondary 

 advantage of this form is the greater strength 

 of the hedge mass under weight of snow or ice 

 and its consequent resistance; for snow or ice 

 resting upon it is supported by practically all 

 of its branches instead of by only the top 

 branches, as is the case when a uniform width 

 is preserved and the top is flat. 



The height to which a hedge of privet may 

 be carried is limited only by the height of the 

 shrub when left to its own devices; as this is 

 fifteen feet it is apparent that high and beauti- 

 ful living walls are possible through the use of 

 this variety. As a matter of fact, however, I 

 would not advise bringing it to more than ten 

 feet or even eight, unless on a large place and 

 under exceptional circumstances. In England 

 an upright narrow hedge only a foot in width 

 and from five to nine feet in height is sometimes 

 developed, and beautiful things they are; but 

 we have always to remember that our extremes 

 of heat and cold make it difiicult to do many 

 things in America that English gardeners have 

 no trouble with. This is not to say, however, 

 that walls of privet of this height and width 

 are not possible here; but as with the more 



