226 TREES AND SHRUBS 



Yews. On dry, sandy soils no Conifer is better for 

 England than the Scotch Fir ; or for moist, loamy 

 regions and valley bottoms none is better than the 

 Spruce. Exception is sometimes taken to the 

 Spruce ; and when planted in other than the place 

 it likes it is, indeed, a wretched object, as on dry 

 and hilly grounds. But a mass of Common Spruce 

 in a cool, alluvial bottom is a picture of well-being, 

 and no one can deny their majesty on alpine hill- 

 sides. The Douglas Fir is sometimes recommended 

 in its stead, but this beautiful and quick-growing tree 

 must still be regarded as an experiment. There is 

 not as yet a single old Douglas Fir, and there are 

 some among our botanical experts who are yet in 

 doubt whether, for all its young vigour, it will be 

 a lasting tree for our country. For dry uplands 

 in light soil there is the lovely Juniper, best of all 

 its kind (though often in nurseries foreign ones only 

 are offered to its exclusion), and for chalky soils and 

 loams the Box luxuriates, and can be used as a small 

 tree, as well as in its usual bush form. 



The use of Common Ivy should not be forgotten. 

 How important it is in winter may be perceived by 

 any one during a country drive, when it will be seen 

 under many conditions. 



In Ireland we have the Arbutus {A. Unedo), that is 

 found at the Lakes of Killarney, where it attains to 

 the height of a small tree. 



Importance of a Suitable Climate. — Ever- 

 green shrubs luxuriate generally in the climate 



