EVERGREENS FOR HEDGES. 5? 



Our Southern states have a few other evergreens 

 adapted to hedges, such as Ilex cassine, a species of 

 holly. The leaves are described as small and much 

 like that of the arbutus. The berries are large and 

 brilliant red not liked by birds, and therefore per- 

 sistent throughout the winter. The rhododendrons 

 are peculiarly beautiful for hedges, where they are 

 hardy, as are also the low-growing laurels or 

 kalmias. However, they will not thrive in lime- 

 stone soils sufficiently well to be of any use for hedge 

 work. By using made soil, and by persistent atten- 

 tion, individual shrubs may be grown, and short 

 hedges. If you try them at all, get good garden soil 

 without the least admixture of manure, add sand and 

 wood mold, and take care to mulch in the winter. 



The Box deserves special notice. The low- 

 growing bushy variety is admirable in garden work, 

 bordering beds and walks. The larger growing 

 makes an admirable low hedge. It endures cutting 

 as well as the holly, and is responsible for no end of 

 fancies and abnormal shapings called art. In Eng- 

 lish and French gardens during the last century, 

 houses of box were not uncommon. Topiary work 

 is, however, no longer as fashionable in English 

 gardens or even in French. In this country it has 

 never secured any serious attention from our better 

 home-builders. As our own lives grow natural and 

 democratic, the conventional in art becomes dis- 

 tasteful. 



It is no small advantage to have near our homes 

 such plants as can be cut for winter house decoration. 

 The savin is admirable for this purpose. The 

 mahonia is perhaps best of all; for although the 



