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Privet Block 



California Privet 



This is the universal hedge in the East, a fact proving that Privet has greater 

 merit under ordinary conditions for this purpose than any other plant. For live 

 fences at village, town, and country homes it is the very best of all materials. 

 On public grounds of all kinds, in parks and cemeteries, along roads and paths, 

 on factory grounds, and on_ newly subdivided areas near towns, nothing else 

 can be used in its place, and in this place it is indispensable. California Privet is 

 known as Ligustrum ovalijolium by botanists. It comes from Japan and China, 

 and is_ able to stand a temperature of zero without any damage. Ten or fifteen 

 degrees below zero do not damage it much, but twenty or thirty below will 

 kill the wood to the ground. This is not so serious as it might be, because the 

 roots throw up a strong growth by the next August. 



Privet produces wood faster than any other shrub or tree. When you want a 

 hedge that is thick right down to the ground, you must set the plants close to- 

 gether, anywhere from 6 to 18 inches apart. It is sometimes best to set in a double 

 row, the plants "staggered," a foot apart in each line. Some people use even a 

 triple row. The lines should be about 8 inches apart. This is the way to make 

 the finest hedges, especially when you want them a couple of feet wide and over 

 3 feet high. A single row of plants will make a beautiful hedge, but it will not 

 be so thick at the bottom, and will require careful trimming to make it as nice. 

 When possible plow or dig a trench 2 feet wide and 1 foot deep. Don't throw the 

 dirt out; just mix it thoroughly. A horse and harrow or cultivator are the best 

 tools. When you have a fine bed of soil, plow a trench in the middle, and set 

 the plants in dry soil. The roots should be " puddled " as soon as you unpack 

 them, and if you do not plant at once, they should be coated with mud again 

 just before you plant. Water, if you can, after planting. A good heavy rain will 

 do this for you. Mulch 6 inches deep with cut-grass or buckwheat hulls 

 right after planting and watering. You can water twice a week and fertilize 

 hrJf a dozen times a season with good results. Cut back to within 3 inches of the 

 ground the first season, then each April cut back again to within 6 inches of the 

 previous year's height. This harsh treatment will force a thick, leafy growth of 

 twigs and branches right from the ground up. By setting the plants 6 inches 

 deeper than they were in the nursery each one will have half a dozen or more 



