150 ON RAISING AND MANAGING HEDGES. 
of a two or three feet dike or bank of earth, and cut twice a 
year, in June and in October, which alters its ordinary habit 
of growth very much, rendering it close and compact; and 
in such situations it forms an efficient fence and valuable 
shelter. 
The Common Privet (Ligustrum vulgare).—Of this plant there 
are several varieties, of which some are much better ever- 
greens than others. It is most readily grown from cuttings 
ten or twelve inches long, planted in September in shaded, 
sandy soil. These should be inserted two-thirds into the 
ground in nursery lines, and the soil firmly tramped about 
them, or the hedge may at once be formed with cuttings or 
slips. The plant as a hedge is very ornamental when well 
kept and often pruned, particularly in the end of August, 
which enables it to push out foliage afresh, which forms its 
winter clothing fresh and green. Of itself, the plant is too 
feeble where a strong fence is required. It is therefore often 
used on the top of a dwarf wall, and for garden and orna- 
mental purposes. 
The Yew Tree (Taxus baccata).—This is the most ornamental 
of all evergreen hedges, but as it is poisonous it should not 
be placed in any situation accessible to animals that would 
brouse on its twigs. Its growth is compact and slow ; 
it is easily dressed, and when well cared for it forms 
an evergreen wall so close that small birds can hardly 
enter it. Its roots grew as compact as its branches, and it 
does not scourge the ground in its vicinity; it is rarely 
touched by any disease, is very hardy and permanent, hence 
its adaptation for green walls in gardens, nurseries, and orna- 
mental grounds. 
It is a usual practice in some nurseries where there is a 
constant demand for hardy ornamental plants, to plant the 
English yew in ample space, and train it into a hedge figure, 
and by being frequently removed its roots become a compact 
mass of fibre, insuring its perfect safety on being transplanted, 
four or five feet high—a ready-made fence of the most ex- 
quisite colour and polish. Frequent transplanting retards 
