AMERICAN HOLLY. 
89 
necessary, as in the United States, to enclose large tracts of arable land. 
The seeds of the Holly, of the Thorn, and of the Dogwood, do not spring 
before the second or third year ; but I have been told that they may be 
caused to shoot the first year by the following very simple method. After 
gathering the seeds, v T hich are ripe towards the close of autumn, they must 
be cleared of the pulpy envelope by rubbing them in water ; they are after- 
wards slightly covered with earth in a box, and deposited during the winter 
in the cellar. Care must be taken to keep the earth moist by watering it 
from time to time, for the purpose of swelling the seeds. When the warm 
season commences, they are committed to the earth, in the spot where they 
are to remain. The berries of the Holly are purgative, and, taken to the 
number of 15 or 20, they excite vomiting ; but there are so many remedies 
whose operation is better understood and more certain, that the best trea- 
tises on materia medica attach little importance to this vegetable. 
My enquiries concerning the American Holly have not led me to an 
acquaintance with any property w’hich should entitle it to a preference in 
Europe over our native species, Ilex aquifoiium. 
PLATE LXXXIY. 
A branch with leaves and fruit of the natural size. 
[SW, propagation , fyc. The Holly attains the largest size in a rich, sandy 
loam, but it will grow* and even thrive, on almost any soil, provided it is 
not overcharged with moisture ; it succeeds better beneath the shade and 
drip of other trees than any other evergreen shrub or tree, eicept the Box. 
If young plants suffer from moving, cut them down close to the ground, 
and they will frequently recover. 
In addition to the advice respecting the seeds given by Michaux, I would 
observe that a covering of half rotten leaves, or a litter of straw, placed 
over the seed beds, will protect the ground from extreme heat and drought, 
and will greatly facilitate the progress of germination, which is often 
attended, however, w r ith disappointment. After remaining a year they 
may be placed in pots for a twelvemonth, previous to removal to their final 
place of growth. 
Cleft-grafting does not succeed so well with the Holly as whip-grafting or 
budding. Cuttings made in autumn, of the ripened summer shoots, and 
plantéd in a sandy soil in a shady border, and covered with hand-glasses, 
will put forth roots in the following spring. W T hen planted for a hedge, 
for which I strongly recommend it, the soil ought to be trenched to the 
depth of 3 or 4 feet, and filled up with good soil from the adjoining surface. 
The permanence and beauty of a Holly hedge should stimulate the 
