POREST TREES. 231 
The Box is a native of the temperate climates of 
Europe and Asia, growing to the height of from fif- 
teen to thirty feet. Still larger trees are said to exist 
near Philadelphia. The wood is yellow, very hard 
and fine grained, and so heavy as to sink in water. It 
is used in the manufacture of mathematical and 
musical instruments, but principally for wood engrav- 
ing. In gardens the tree was formerly much em- 
ployed in what was called topiary work, and cut into 
the forms of men, and animals, and all kinds of 
geometrical and fanciful figures. 
The Box is a beautiful tree, and appears to great 
advantage in winter, particularly when the ground 
is covered with snow. Its foliage is most brilliant 
when partially shaded by other trees. It has gener- 
ally been regarded as too tender for the climate of 
northern Illinois. Mr. Douglas, of Waukegan, never- 
theless cultivates it successfully without any other 
protection than what is afforded by belts of trees; a 
fact which should encourage others to attempt its 
culture. It is propagated by seeds, layers or cut- 
tings.. The seeds should be sown as soon as ripe in 
dry rich mould in a shaded situation. It is more 
commonly grown from cuttings from four to six 
inches long, which readily root if put early in the 
fall in a frame of sandy soil. The Box transplants 
well with ordinary care. 
Var. suffruticosa (Dwarf Box) is employed for 
edging garden walks. It will not endure the win- 
ters of northern [linois without protection. 
covering of snow is sufficient, but it must be kept 
