282 TREES AND SHRUBS 



Evergreens 



Berberis (syn. mahonia) aquifolium, or Holly- 

 leaved Barberry, is too well known to need much 

 description. It is one of the most useful and 

 accommodating of shrubs, and will succeed in almost 

 any soil, and either in the open or under the shade 

 of trees is quite at home. For clothing banks few 

 things can equal it. It should be planted when in a 

 small state i8 inches apart, choosing the beginning 

 of April for the purpose. It may be allowed to take 

 care of itself when once estabhshed. 



Box. — The entire Box family is excellent for 

 grouping when the soil is suitable, but it is waste of 

 time to attempt planting it in large quantities unless 

 the position and soil agree with it. A light surface, 

 with a chalky sub-soil, is what it enjoys. 



Laurels. — The two best Laurels are Cerasus 

 Laurocerasus caucasica, the hardiest of the whole 

 family, and rotundifolia. The former may be 

 severely pruned and is excellent for clothing large 

 bare places, mounds, or banks. Rotundifolia is a 

 splendid variety with larger foliage, but not so hardy. 

 The ground in which these Laurels are to be planted 

 should be trenched or bastard trenched, and small 

 plants be planted 3 feet apart all ways. To keep 

 them in condition, prune hard down during the grow- 

 ing season twice, if not three times, when they will 

 remain in good health for many years. Cerasus lusi- 

 tanica (Portugal Laurel) is happy in heavy soils, and 

 its beautiful dark-green leaves are very teUing. This 



