EVERGREENS 61 
ordinary conditions attain a height of five or six feet, 
but in Cornwall and Devonshire they attain to a much 
greater height, rising in some cases to twenty feet 
or more. The arbutus appear to the best advantage 
in the shrubbery, where so arranged that they are 
not overgrown by more robust shrubs. A well- 
drained soil is essential to success in their culture, and, 
where practicable, a liberal quantity of leaf-mould or 
other decayed vegetable matter should be added to the 
soil, previous to planting. 
The most desirable for general cultivation are 
Arbutus Unedo and its varieties. The species blooms in 
September, and produces a profusion of pale white 
flowers succeeded by brilliant red fruits resembling the 
strawberry. The two varieties that can be specially 
recommended are, rubra, which has red flowers, and 
Croomei, a strong grower with pink flowers. 4. 
Andrachne hybrida is worthy of a place in large gardens; 
it has narrow leaves and greenish white flowers, the 
latter being produced in summer; the fruit bright 
red. 
AvucuBas.—These enjoy a well-deserved popularity, 
for they will thrive in soils of all descriptions, and in 
any position, and they are equally at home in town and 
country gardens. The common variegated form, Aucuba 
japonica variegata, is the most generally useful; but the 
green-leaved 4. japonica vera is desirable, the growth 
being bold and the leaves rich glossy green. The 
brilliant red berries produced by the female forms so 
greatly enhance the appearance of bushes of all sizes, 
that one or two or three plants of the green-leaved male 
plant should be grown, the number being determined 
by the area of the garden to provide the pollen necessary 
for the fertilisation of the flowers, which is effected by 
insect agency. Aucubas can be readily propagated by 
cuttings and seeds, the former being taken in August 
