312 SKETCHES OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 



to these, are the following important considerations: 

 first, its keeping itself almost free from weeds ; for, 

 from the closeness of its branches at bottom, it 

 excludes the air so effectually, that none can grow. 

 Secondly, its not being liable to the attacks of any 

 insects; and, thirdly, its not being resorted to by 

 birds." 



Sand and sandy loam are the soils best suited to 

 holly, but it will nourish in almost any situation where 

 the land is not absolutely satui-ated with wet. The 

 ground should be trenched and manured as for any 

 other fence, and the plants may be set on the common 

 surface of the field, with a fence on each side. A damp 

 and cloudy day should be chosen for the removal of the 

 plants, any time between November and March. Plants 

 of six or ten years of age, and, if possible, such as have 

 been transplanted the previous year, and have thus sent 

 out numerous fibrous roots, should be chosen. They 

 require no pruning either at root or top, and they will 

 be more certain to prosper if taken up with large balls 

 of earth round the roots. They may then be set in a 

 trench, at least a foot apart, the earth returned, and the 

 plants gently trodden in. For two years the hedge will 

 need no pruning ; in the third year the sides will have 

 become broad and irregular, and must then be clipped 

 with the shears, not trimmed with the hedge-bill or 

 hook, the stems being too thick, and the leaves too 

 numerous to admit of the latter process without injury. 

 The poet Southey was a great admirer of this tree, and 

 wrote in its honour the following lines, dwelling par- 

 ticularly on the fact, that the lower leaves of the holly 

 are strongly armed with prickles, while the upper ones 

 are quite free from them. 



" Reader ! hast thou ever stood to see 



The Holly-tree ? 

 The eye that contemplates it well perceives 



Its glossy leaves, 



Ordered by an intelligence so wise 

 As might confound the Atheist's sophistries. 



