116 TOWN PLANTING 



general favourite, is replaced when showing 

 signs of distress, thus giving the casual ob- 

 server the impression that it has special ad- 

 vantages for using in close, confined and 

 smoky parts of our towns and cities. Where 

 expense of renewal is a matter of little 

 moment, and a decidedly ornamental speci- 

 men shrub is required, by all means plant 

 the Sweet Bay. Its cultural requirements 

 are simple, but the soil in which it is growing 

 as a pot or tub plant must be kept uniformly 

 damp. It is, comparatively speaking, an ex- 

 pensive shrub. 



THE BUTCHER'S BROOM (Ruscus aculea- 

 tus). Although having but small claims to 

 an ornamental shrub, yet the fact that two 

 species at least of Ruscus have been found 

 suitable for town planting will be sufficient 

 excuse for including them in this book. It 

 is a native evergreen shrub, with rigid cla- 

 dodes, which take the place of leaves, and 

 small greenish-white flowers which are suc- 

 ceeded by bright red berries about the size 

 of marbles. It is a capital town plant and 



