The Hollv. 



year, and then they must stand two years in the seed-hed, 

 for they are still too small to be removed until then. They 

 must be moved into a nursery, and finally into hedges, or 

 into shrubberies, with all the care and all the precaution 

 pointed out in the case of the Cedars. 



304. The wood of the Holly is very hard, very close and 

 fine-grained, and serves for many purposes where it is 

 found of considerable size. It is used by cabinet-makers; 

 takes a very brilliant polish, and is employed for inlaying 

 mahogany furniture. It is good for the purpose of turneiy, 

 and for making light screws, and Michaux tells us, that 

 in America it is sometimes used for the pulleys or blocks 

 of ships 3 but, in that country the tree grows larger, though 

 its outward appearances are not very different from those 

 of our tree. I have seen the Holly in both countries 

 flourishing in every sort of soil, and generally I have seen 

 the American Hollies much larger and more lofty than 

 ever I saw it in England. Its principal use is the mak- 

 ing of hedges, for which purpose it is excellent, at once the 

 most ornamental, giving the most complete shelter, and 

 forming the most effectual barrier against even the smallest 

 of animals, of any fence consisting of trees or shrubs. To 

 form a hedge, the Hollies should be planted at the same 

 distances, and in the same manner, as directed for those of 

 the Hawthorns ; but, like other evergreens, should never 

 be moved, except early in September or in April. 



305. This tree is found in most of our coppices in England. 

 When it produces long and straightish sticks, they are put 

 by for whip-handles, being very tough in their young state. 

 The stouter sticks are laid by for walking-sticks, or for 

 swingles for flails, and the brush goes to the making of 

 dead hedges, in which it will lie, with its leaves not perished, 



