140 



Yew and Other Hedges. 



Chinese and the much larger Virginian commonly called red cedar are the best. 

 Topiary work, to which the yew is so submissive, is receiving attention in modern 

 gardens. As in the case of other toy-like tricks in gardening, it may in some cases 

 be satisfactorily employed, but if followed merely as a fashion, and not because the 

 design of the garden would be bettered by a certain form, it may easily give an 

 impression of silliness or wanton frivolity. But fine effects are sometimes gained, 

 where there is need for distinct punctuation, by carrying up a square plinth some 

 six inches or eight inches above the level of the top of the hedge and growing a well- 

 formed ball upon that. Fig. 181 shows yew hedges at Mathern with the trees, at 

 important points, trained up in the form of swollen cones surmounted by bird 

 forms. In unpractised hands such treatment might be dangerous, but in that of 

 Mathern's owner we know that his skill and fine taste will bring them into right 

 and fitting garden ornaments. 



FIG. 182. A GARDEN AVENUE OF LOMBARDY POPLARS. 



