TREES AND SHRUBS. 



439 



shifting. The most favourable time of the year to transplant the Holly is the first week in 

 April, as with care it will then scarcely feel the check of removal. The distance at which 

 the plants are put apart will depend upon their width, but from i ft. to i Sin . is very suitable. 

 After planting, they should not be cut for a couple of years at least, in order to allow them to 

 become thoroughly established. Trimming may be done in autumn or in the month of April, 

 this last being the best. The hedge must be cut wedge-shape, in order to allow as much light 

 and air as possible at the base of the plants, as upon this depends a good deal of their density 

 at that point. 



YEW. — This will succeed in heavier and colder soil than the Holly, and may be 

 planted throughout the latter part of the autumn, in winter, and early spring. The general 

 directions given in the case of the Holly are equally applicable to the Yew. This last may be 

 clipped in the autumn or spring, the latter being the best provided it is done before growth 

 commences. 



Privet. — The oval-leaved Privet makes the best hedge, and one that will succeed 

 almost anvwhere. Good sturdv plants from ift. to 2ft. high are the best for the purpose, and 

 they should be planted from Gin. to gin. apart. In order to form a dense base the hedge should 

 be clipped back' to a height of 1 ft. the first July after planting. This just-named month is the 

 bast for trimming a Privet hedge, as being then in full growth, the young shoots quickly hide 

 mutilation. But Privet must not be overdone. A hedge of Quick' or Holly is a thousand 

 times preferable. 



WHITETHORN. — This is the term usually applied to the common Hawthorn 

 (Crataegus Oxyacantha), w hich is very generally used for hedges. The young plants are 

 raised from seeds, and when about 1 ft . high are planted permanently. A space of 6in. 

 should De allowed between each plant, and the hedge is greatly improved if a year after 

 planting it is cut back' to within 6in. or gin. of the soil, as this causes it to push out 

 numerous shoots at the base. It may be clipped as the Privet, or in the winter. Planted 

 alternatelv, the Whitethorn and Privet form a good hedge, the sturdy nature of the Thorn 

 tending to support the weaker shoots of the other. 



Other evergreen subjects suitable for hedges are Box, which forms a neat compact 

 fence ; Laurel, that must not be trimmed w ith shears, but cut w ith a knife in July and August ; 

 and several Conifers. The best of these are Abies excelsa (Norway Spruce), Cupressus 

 Lawsoniana, Retinospora obtusa, Thuja gigantea, and Thuja occidentalis. Conifers lose 

 too much sap if trimmed during the growing season, hence the operation should be performed 

 in autumn or early spring. 



Deciduous hedge plants are numerous, some of the best being the Beech, Hornbeam, 

 Blackthorn or Sloe, and the Cherry Plum (Primus Myrobalana). In proximity to the sea 

 Euonymus japonicus, Tamarisk, Escallonia macrantha, and the Sea Buckthorn make good 

 hedges. These are more fully dealt with under the head of seaside shrubs. 



There is room for considerable improvement as regards hedges in English gardens. Privet 

 is condemned because of its monotonous aspect and the evil odour of its flowers ; but why 

 place one's whole faith in an indiv idual shrub, when the Yew, Holly, Box, and other shrubs 

 are available. True, in the larger gardens of England, the Yew and other beautiful hedge plants 

 are made excellent use of, as our illustrations testify ; but this is not the case in the smaller 

 places, which should be as carefully planted in every way as larger domains. Of course, the 

 selection will depend in no small measure upon the locality, many very beautiful shrubs 

 succeeding only by the warm seacoast, the Escallonia and Veronica Traversi for example, 

 but even where opportunities are provided they are not taken advantage of. A hedge of 

 Tamarisk or of Escallonia is a hundred times more charming than one of Privet, or any common 

 shrub one tires of through constant repetition. It is unfortunate that such shrubs as the Sweet 

 Briar are not more planted, hedges fragrant in leaf and beautiful in colour, a strong defence 

 also against stock. In the garden one looks for variety, not irritating repetition of set things. 



