December 26, 1885 
the hardening world 
265 
The common British Holly has been by many con¬ 
sidered to be merely a shrub, but when left to its 
natural growth it attains the height of at least 30 ft,, 
&ud it is mainly employed in the formation of hedges. 
Its wood is extremely hard and tough; it is of much 
Value to the inlayer for ornamental work, and is used 
and soon realizes its character for combined beauty and 
Utility. 
The perfect hardiness of the Holly, and its ability to 
withstand the most violent winds, is one of its chief 
recommendations. Hence it is that it is so much 
planted in exposed positions, and in the smokiest parts 
There are Several very fine green-leaved varieties ; 
among them we may mention Shepherdii, laurifolia, 
rotundifolia, and marginata. But seedlings are found 
to show much diversity of colour, and those who make 
a speciality of Hollies select and propagate for sale not 
a few fine seedling varieties, which are purchased by 
Carter's “Emperor” strain of Petunias. 
for making the best description of patterns for printed 
calico or paper-hanging. In large or full-grown trees 
the leaves of and near the top are, for the most part, 
nearly entire and not spiny. 
We have stated it is a good plant for forming hedges ; 
indeed, no other plant is so well adapted for this pur¬ 
pose. It bears the shears well, and forms a fence as 
tall, as wide, and as dense as can be wished for by the 
most exacting. It is of rather slow growth for the first 
year or two ; but after that, if a moderate degree of 
attention be bestowed upon it, it advances more rapidly 
of the manufacturing districts of Lancashire, Yorkshire, 
&c., sharing with the hardy Rhododendron the capacity 
to withstand the sulphureous fumes emitted from the 
tall shafts. 
There is one point that deserves mention—the fact 
that some of the variegated forms of the Holly are 
much freer growers than others, a quality which should 
influence the choice. Three of the best with golden 
variegation are Golden Queen, Waterer’s, and Moon¬ 
light ; then of those that have silver vaiiegation, two 
of the most useful are the Handsworth and Milkmaid, 
those who know their value, and appreciate novelty. 
When Holly-berries are procured for seed, they are 
gathered when dead ripe and heaped up in a corner 
with sand, where the heap can be fully exposed to the 
weather. The heap is turned over every two or three 
months for a year, which causes the skin encircling the 
seeds to decay. The seeds are then sifted out and sown 
in February in beds of fine rich soil. Raising Hollies 
from seed is very slow, but a very sure work. Certain 
varieties can be propagated by means of cuttings struck 
under hand-lights. — R. D. 
