ffUDI SMSXill 



PART FIRST- 



TREES. 



OF all the trees of the forest, the native holly is 

 the most interesting and beautiful. Whether 

 young, as a shrub in the garden, or old, as a lonely 

 tree of the mountain, its glowing fruit and glossy 

 leaves, gleaming in the winter sun, prove the de- 

 light of all eyes. It allures to its own hurt the 

 mischievous schoolboy; it is the laurel of BURNS, 

 and the sanctuary of singing birds. Shielding its 

 songsters from the hawk, it shelters them in I the 

 storm, and feeds them with its fruit when other 

 trees are bare. It does one's heart good to see the 

 humble blackbird picking a red berry amidst the 

 falling snow. 



O 



The beauty of this tree is justly appreciated, 

 but its use is comparatively neglected. With a 

 little pains and patience, it were capable of alter- 

 ing the whole aspect of the country, and of adding 

 largely to the comfort of every rural abode. For 

 all the purposes of a hedge it is unrivalled; for or- 

 namenting the lawn, or affording shelter and retire- 

 ment -to the pleasure walk, it has no equal. But 



