96 Holly and Hazel, as U?ide?-xvood. 



Art. IX. On the Holly and the Hazel, as Underwood. 

 By Mr. James Fraser. 



That holly and hazel, independently of their uses, are the 

 principal constituents in the filling up of sylvan scenery, few, 

 I presume, will deny ; some hints, therefore, relative to the 

 treatment of these shrubs, both in an ornamental and useful 

 point of view, may perhaps not be unacceptable to some of 

 your numerous readers. 



Although there are many extensive places where the woods, 

 &c., do not come under the gardener's superintendence, yet 

 every gardener ought to be conversant in these matters. I am 

 sorry to say, however, that in the greater part of the plant- 

 ations I have visited throughout this country (Ireland), these 

 useful and ornamental shrubs, in common with the other trees, 

 are shamefully neglected by all parties concei'ned in their 

 management. 



The holly, as a shrub, is unequalled, whether we consider 

 its stature and mode of growth, or its variety, colour, and per- 

 manency of foliage. It is found in its natural state in various 

 soils and situations ; but it appears to flourish most in a loamy 

 soil, inclining to peat, as may be seen in the vast tracts of 

 natural wood in these countries. The whip-makers, as T 

 have found, give a decided preference, for whip-handles, to the 

 holly grown on upland ; not only on account of its being- 

 tougher, but, by reason of its slower growth, the branches are 

 more closely set, which saves them considerable trouble in 

 forming artificial knots. The turners adapt the holly grown 

 in various situations to different purposes, according to the 

 density of the timber. The hazel luxuriates most in deep up- 

 land ; and although it is to be met with in the rocky glen, on 

 the mountain side, and in the bosom of the forest, yet, in a 

 profitable point of view, a strong and dry loam will be found 

 the most advantageous. There are few plants more accom- 

 modating, none more simply beautiful ; and it is an indispens- 

 able appendage in representing the truly picturesque scenery 

 of our country. The coopers also prefer, for hoops*, hazels of 

 upland growth, as the whip-makers do the holly for handles, 

 but for different reasons, as quickness of growth and thinness 

 of branches are, with the cooper, principal accommodations. 



With regard to the hazel copses in this country, I have met 

 with very few under what I conceive proper management. 

 In many of them premature and irregular cutting takes place ; 



* In Ireland, hazel poles, from four to eight years' growth, are in great 

 demand for hoops for butter-firkins. 



