FLOWERING SHKUBS 



storm," " Ked Cloud/' " Westwind," " Murmuring Waters," 

 and other poetical names descriptive of natural objects or 

 events. 



The Holly is endeared to us by many interesting associa- 

 tions connected with childhood and youth and extending up 

 to extreme old age. 



It gladdens the cottage, it brightens the hall, 

 And the gay Holly Tree is beloved by all ; 

 It shadows the altar, it hallows the hearth, 

 An emblem of peaceful and innocent mirth. 



Spring blossoms are lovely, and summer flowers gay, 

 But the chill winds will wither and chase them away ; 

 While the rude blasts of autumn and winter may rave 

 In vain round the Holly the Holly so brave. 



Though the brave old English gentleman no longer now is seen, 

 And customs old have passed away as things that ne'er have been, 

 Though wassail shout is heard no more, nor Mistletoe we see ; 

 They've left us still the Holly green, the bonny Holly-tree. 



There is an old couplet that is common in the north of 

 England about the Holly: 



" O the oak, and the ash, and the bonny holly tree, 

 They flourish best of all in the north countrie." 



The dark hued evergreen leaves of the Holly, with their 

 rich garniture of vivid scarlet berries, which remain per- 

 sistent all through the winter and far into the spring, have 

 been so often described or alluded to in print that they must 

 be well known to all. From its use in adorning houses 

 and the churches from Christmastide till Candlemas or the 

 beginning of Lent, the Holly is much thought of and valued 

 by young and old in England; but we miss both the ever- 

 green leaves and the old associations in our Canadian Holly, 

 and so it is less cared for on that account. The bush for 

 it never rises in this country to any height is from eight to 



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