26o THE PRH^FT. 



THE PRIVET (Ligustrum Vulgare). 



The Privet is but rarely lett to grow to its tull size ; single 

 trees, however, of twelve or fitteen teet in height, are occasionally niet 

 with. It can be grown in almost anv soil, position, or atmosphere ; 

 and is equallv indifferent to the smoke of a town or the shade and 

 drip from trees overhead. 



The Privet usuallv is a low bush with many upright stems. It 

 is specially suited for garden hedges, tor it will bear close clipping 

 and frequently retains its leaves throughout the winter, in sheltered 

 positions, although not an evergreen. In its wild state it forms a good 

 undergrowth and will live under the shade of other trees. 



Varieties with variegated or vellow leaves are extensivelv cultivated. 

 The leaves of these appear to be more oval in shape, and of a less 

 leatherv texture than those of the common bush. The quality of the 

 soil, and the weather, plav an important part in determining the 

 predominance of the green or yellow tints of the leaves. 



TWIGS. 



The twigs are of a light brownish grey colour, and bear from 

 four to eight opposite pairs of shoots, each pair being set at right 

 angles to the pair above or below it on the stem. The twigs are 

 usually tipped by a pair of shoots forming a fork. This is due to the 

 fact that flower-buds are produced at the extremity of the shoot and 

 the growth of the branch has therefore to be continued from tlie 

 lateral buds. In this respect the Privet differs from the Spindle-tree 

 which bears its flower-buds near the base of the shoot. The shoots 

 are reddish-green in colour, and at their bases are one or two pairs 

 of pale green modified leaves, while other pairs of leaves, set on the 

 shoot at half a right angle, indicate the places later on to be occupied 

 by new shoots. 



