52 HEDGES., WINDBREAKS, SHELTERS, ETC. 



handsomest shrub in existence when well grown, 

 with its glossy holly-like leaves that are red when 

 young, and its flowers that appear in May as huge 

 balls of gold. A line of these makes a magnificent 

 sight early in spring. The mahonia is, however, 

 slightly tender in northern latitudes. I find it essen- 

 tial to cover my bushes with a sprinkle of leaves, held 

 on with branches of evergreen or with brush. In the 

 northeast angle of a building, where the winter sun 

 cannot reach it freely, it shows no winter-killing. 



I have referred to the common hemlock (Abies 

 Canadensis), but there are many other varieties of 

 hemlock which may be used to vary landscape work. 

 For low hedges and borders, Parsons' Dwarf is 

 excellent. It must also be borne in mind that the 

 hemlock, unlike most evergreens, is very much given 

 to sporting. You will find so great variation in the 

 growth, even in the same opening, as to almost con- 

 stitute varieties. I have been able to select those 

 which were very drooping in their foliage, and others 

 nearly as stiff and formal in growth as the arbor- 

 vitse. It must always be borne in mind that the 

 hemlock loves moist soil, and that it does not take 

 with any liking to pine lands or any other soils that 

 are light and sandy. Yet it will thrive on high 

 knolls, provided it be well mulched. I have seldom 

 lost a bush by removing it from a swampy ground, 

 unless from neglect of immediate mulching. 



I have ranked as next to hemlock, and in some 

 respects superior to it, the arbor-vitse. I think that, 

 as generally treated, it is preferable for long hedges. 

 It is stiffer and stouter in growth, and will bet- 

 ter endure a degree of neglect. I do not mean, 



