178 Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



out and tied in position. One of the largest-leaved Ivies is dentata, 

 and there is a handsome form of this called variegata, the dull green 

 leaves of which have a yellow edge. Another handsome form is 

 Maderensis variegata, green with a broad white edge. Marginata 

 aurea, marmorata, Raegneriana, and rhombea are also handsome 

 forms. The Ivies may be planted in autumn or spring, and will 

 thrive on most kinds of soil, though if planted late on poor chalky 

 soil they are slow in making a start. They are propagated by 

 cuttings in a cold frame in autumn, and in the nurseries by grafting. 

 Clipping should be done just before new growth starts in spring. 

 The tree Ivy, arborescens, has many forms, which may be grown 

 in shady spots and need no support. 



Hedges. A good hedge serves the double purpose of a fence and 

 a shelter; consequently, many who are enclosing ground for a 

 garden turn their thpughts to a living dividing line. It must be 



remembered, however, that 

 several years are required to 

 make a good hedge, the time 

 varying with the soil and 

 climate. With rich soil and a 

 moist climate it is possible to 

 get a fair hedge in 6 years; 

 with poor soil and a dry climate 

 10 are required. For this 

 reason a hedge enclosure is 

 of no service as an immediate 

 guard against sheep and cattle, 

 and a wooden or wire fence is needed in addition (see Fences). It 

 is a good plan to plant a hedge within a fence, for the sake of the 

 shelter which it provides. It should not be made close to the 

 fence, or it could not be pruned properly. If the fence is an open 

 one of wire 4 ft. must be left, or cattle will eat it down. At that 

 distance, and with wire netting at the lower part to keep out lambs, 

 it will be safe. Whitethorn (Quick) is the best hedge plant. It 

 should be planted 9 ins. apart all ways in a double row, thus 



HO\T 



i, 2. Level of ground. 



side and made into a ridge. 



each three plants forming a triangle. The soil should be manured 

 beforehand, and the Quick should be shortened to about 9 ins. high, 

 in order to make it break freely at the base. If pruned annually it 

 will grow bushy and make an impenetrable barrier to stock, which 

 will keep clear of it. When in bloom in May it will be attractive. 

 Privet is another good hedge plant, and may be treated in the same 

 way as Quick, except that a single row suffices if the plants have 

 been well shortened in the nursery; but it must be well protected 

 while young, or sheep will eat it down. The oval-leaved is nominally 

 evergreen, but a good many, sometimes all, the leaves fall in winter. 

 It should be pruned twice annually, in June and September. A 

 drawback to Privet in the estimation of many is the odour of the 

 flowers, which they find disagreeable, and even injurious. Myro- 

 Jpalan Plum makes a good, inexpensive hedge. For inner hedges 



