THE HOLLY. 401 
from casualties, the plant forms a strong and durable hedge, 
almost, if not altogether, exempt from disease. 
We have found the method of mixing-holly with hawthorn 
to suit remarkably well in forming hedges on dry soil of 
various descriptions. Some writers on this subject have 
doubted the eligibility of the practice, and have stated that 
they could not recommend it, believing that the hollies, with- 
out relief, would become overpowered by the hawthorn. 
Experience, however, shows that this is not the case, and that 
the contrary is the more likely occurrence. Hollies inserted . 
of the same size as the hawthorn, and placed a few paces 
apart, although they almost disappeared for a few years after 
being planted, have come up, and spread so extensively as to 
give the hedges during the months of winter the appearance 
of being almost entirely evergreen, which adds greatly to its 
shelter and beauty. The progress of the holly thus situated 
is just what might be expected from the nature of the tree. 
It advances fastest when partially shaded, while the opposite 
is the case with the hawthorn, which, at the opening up of 
the season, has the disadvantage of being to some extent con- 
fined by the evergreen. 
Being possessed of the rare qualification of growing vigor- 
ously under the shade or drip of other trees, the holly affords 
a rich verdure and seclusion when interspersed between the 
pare stems of lofty timber trees. or this purpose, with the 
exception of the yew, it has no equal among evergreen trees. 
It generally rises in a handsome conical form, and during 
autumn and winter the brilliancy of its scarlet berries, con- 
trasted with its deep green foliage, and these associated with 
the fading leaves of deciduous trees, render it a most desirable 
object. 
The holly is commonly propagated by seed. The berries are 
ripe, and should be collected during winter ; each contains 
several seeds ; they should be mixed up with about double 
their bulk of sand or dry earth, and turned over once every 
month or six weeks. Frequent turnings serve to decompose 
the berries more equally than is the case when they are 
2c 
