March 10, 1888. 
THE GAKDENING WOKLD. 
489 
THE HOLLY. 
“I have often wondered at our curiosity after foreign 
plants and expensive difficulties to the neglect of this 
vulgar but incomparable tree, whether we propagate it 
for use and defence, or for sight and ornament.” So 
wrote John Evelyn, in 1678, and the words are still, 
to a great extent, applicable to the present time. 
He goes on to describe a hedge of Holly in his garden 
at Says Court, Deptford, of about 400 ft. in length, 9 ft. 
high, and 5 ft. in breadth. “Is there,” he says, “a 
more glorious and refreshing sight of the kind under 
heaven than this impregnable hedge at any time of the 
year, glittering with its armed and varnished leaves, 
the taller standards at orderly distances blushing with 
their natural coral It mocks the rudest assaults of the 
weather, beasts, or hedge breakers.” 
A hedge of Holly, thieves that would invade, 
Repulses like a growing palisade. 
He speaks of the prickly and smoother-leaved kinds, 
and gold and silver variegated in six or seven differences, 
mentions the yellow-berried, and states that what are 
known as the Hedgehog Hollies were recently brought 
over from France. Since his time the list of variegated 
varieties has been considerably extended, and those of 
weeping habit are of modern origin. It would be 
interesting if the history of these various variegated 
forms had come down to us, and I have often thought 
it a little curious that though having had a lengthened 
acquaintance -with the common green ones in nurseries 
and plantations, I have only once met with varie¬ 
gation on a common green specimen, and I take it as a 
striking evidence of the value set upon these variegations 
that so many have been secured. 
The first working up of a stock must, in many 
instances, have been a long and tedious process, accom¬ 
panied with many disappointments, and the pecuniary 
results must have been very trivial. I had the 
pleasure in my youth of being familiar with a somewhat 
extensive collection of them, and often thought if the 
opportunity were afforded me I would some day form 
a garden of them. A very pleasing result might be 
obtained by grouping them in their several colours 
against an irregular background of the common one, 
and the yellow-berried and the different kinds of green, 
smooth-leaved and hedgehog used to divide the various 
colours, with standard weepers and larger specimens of 
the best kinds scattered about on the grass and among 
the groups. This might not attract much attention 
during the summer months, but during the winter it 
would prove one of the most attractive spots in the 
pleasure grounds. 
The Holly affords a pleasing instance as to how, in 
nature, things which are designed to serve certain ends 
become modified when the cause for which they exist 
ceases. Examine a plant from 20 ft. to 30 ft. in height; 
you will find that near the ground and anywhere within 
reach of cattle, the leaves are well armed with spines, 
but out of their reach they become almost plain. Con¬ 
sidering the hardiness, beauty, and adaptability of the 
plant to almost all soils and situations, flourishing as 
it does in some of the London squares —though, more’s 
the pity, a rare sight !—a feeling of disgust is awakened, 
when passing some of these enclosures, to witness the 
wretched mess that has been made of them. 
It seems a marvel that its merits haye been so per¬ 
sistently overlooked, and preference given to common 
Laurels, only because they grow quicker and can be 
bought a trifle cheaper—a matter which, in many 
instances, ought not to be considered. There is many 
a suburban villa garden which, had this plant been 
given the preference, would have been a thing of beauty 
and a joy to its owner, instead of a scene of ugliness 
either from overgrown or sickly Laurels. In many of 
these places there is not proper room for them, and if 
cut back continuously, they become sick and unsightly. 
Again, while the Laurels periodically get severely pun¬ 
ished by the severe frosts of winter, such a calamity 
very rarely overtakes the Holly, so that the increased 
outlay on these in a series of years is well compensated 
for in appearance and cost of removal ; for the Laurels 
are often allowed to grow out of bounds, and are grubbed 
up to make way for smaller plants. 
A moderate amount of pruning will keep Hollies in 
proper limits, and improve their appearance. Some 
object to them on account of their alleged slow growth. 
With respect to some soils, there may be some truth 
in it, for although it is difficult to find a place where it 
will not grow, there are soils in which its growth is 
much slower than in others. We often feel surprised 
at the hedges we meet with formed of this, which is 
pre-eminently the best plant for the purpose. Evelyn 
describes how he collected seedlings from woods, and 
formed a good hedge with them 4 ft. high in four years. 
We ourselves have planted hedges with plants bought 
at cheap rates, and which made good hedges in four 
years ; and are certain that, under the same conditions, 
we should not have got a white Thorn one in the same 
time. 
In some instances we think a Holly hedge would be 
established at less cost than a quick-set one, because 
the chances are that the fence put up to protect the 
latter would require partial renewal before the hedge 
got so far established that it would resist the encroach¬ 
ments of cattle, which would not care to face a Holly 
hedge of the same age. Most of the failures in planting 
Hollies arise from planting at unfavourable times. Late 
in spring, or even May will be best—the depth of 
winter the worst possible. Among other advantages 
possessed by Holly hedges over white Thorn are im¬ 
munity from those insects which prey alike on it and 
the Apple and Pear, as well as the aphis which infests 
our green crops, and greater warmth it affords to plants 
sheltered by it. An evergreen fence always breaks the 
wind to a much greater extent than a deciduous one.— 
IF. B. G. 
-- 
HORTICULTURAL TECHNICAL 
EDUCATION. 
“ B. L.y” writing upon this subject (p, 406), evidently 
misapprehends the object at heart of the several writers 
whose contributions have recently appeared. Nor has 
he in any novel or remarkable way shown in his argument 
that it has any direct connection with the question at 
issue. The effects of climate, depression and free trade, 
though not subject to the power of education, may 
however, become lesser enormities by the acquisition of 
knowledge relative to the laws under which they 
operate. It must be borne in mind that the limits of 
education are, besides, as boundless as the mysterious 
labyrinths of mind are unfathomed and undiscoverable. 
It is plain to me that what the British gardener 
requires is an unlimited knowledge of natural sciences ; 
his profession naturally tends to mould his character 
in that direction. Why not encourage it? It is worthy 
for its own sake, were that only all. Behold our 
brethren on the Continent, how they will sacrifice any¬ 
thing so as to gain a technical knowledge of their duties, 
however trivial these may be. 
They are shrewd enough to see the formidable latent 
power underlying this acquisition, which unmistakeably 
places them on a loftier platform than those who do 
not possess it. The import of foreign produce is not 
calculated to threaten the horticultural throne so much 
as the possible encroachments of foreign labour. Both 
of these, however, clear and unbiassed minds will view 
as perfectly legitimate ; but every man of patriotism, 
wisdom, and horticultural zeal will readily perceive 
that the tidal influx must, in both cases, be modified 
by the like means that cause it. It is also Utopian of 
us to imagine that the uprising gardener, as he now 
stands, can, on the bare lines of competition, hold his 
ground against the foreigner. As a working machine, 
I have no doubt that he will ; but more than this is 
required. It is not altogether for the gravity of his 
office that it is needful, but for the great purpose of the 
universal advancement of horticulture. The advancing 
strides of civilisation claim it. Horticulture embraces 
a wide stretch of the face of nature, which never fails 
to draw the attention of the majority ; therefore, if the 
gardener does not draw the masses, they will inevitably 
draw him. There is philosophy on both sides, but one 
is more honourable to the gardener than the other. 
Some reference was made lately in your columns to 
influence and favour, as often used at the expense of 
ability in securing horticultural appointments. Though 
this is true—sorry ’tis, ’tis true—I think we should soar 
high above a system so lamentably unworthy, and view 
it with the contempt it deserves. In due time, no 
doubt, such impotent nonentities will cease to be, much 
to the advantage and estimation of worthy men. The 
survival of the fittest stands good in this, as in other 
things. 
Again a word to our young friends ; spare no time, 
pains nor trouble to enrich the mind with useful 
knowledge. It is an incentive to the true com¬ 
prehension of the greatness and worth of labour. 
It inspires a spirit of wisdom and contentment that 
wonderfully exonerates the mind from the slavish dis¬ 
contentedness often in the sophisticated inductions of 
the uneducated. As the horticultural press was, to 
many, better than their youthful tuition, we will always 
look to it to press the necessity of mental culture as 
well as horticulture.— D. Chisholm. 
S FROM SCOTLAND. 
Scottish Horticultural Association. — On 
Tuesday night the annual meeting of this association 
was held at 5, St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh—Mr. D. 
P. Laird, president, in the chair. Mr. Robertson 
Munro read the eleventh annual report, which stated 
that the association had steadily pursued the various 
objects set forth in its constitution for the dissemination 
of knowledge relating to the theory and practice of 
horticulture with such signal success, that it might now 
be regarded as occupying a prominent position amongst 
British horticultural institutions. Sixteen papers had 
been read at the ten ordinary meetings. Fourteen 
ordinary members and one honorary member had been 
added to the roll. Fifty-three exhibits had been placed 
on the table by twenty-seven members. The second 
Chrysanthemum show had been a complete success. 
The association regretted the death of Professor 
Dickson, who was for years an honorary president, and 
also of Mr. George Johnson, Glamis. Mr. A. D. 
Mackenzie submitted the financial report, which showed 
a balance in hand of £10 15s. 4|d. 
The reports having been adopted, the following office¬ 
bearers were elected :—Honorary president, the Duke of 
Buccleuch; president, Mr. Alex. Mackinnon, Scone 
Palace Gardens, Perth ; vice-presidents, Messrs. D. P. 
Laird and Robert Morrison, "West Register Street; 
secretary and treasurer re-appointed ; council, Mr. 
Bell (Morton Hall), Mr. Simpson (Rosebank Cemetery), 
Mr. Morris (Hay Lodge), Mr. Hugh Fraser (Leith Walk 
Nursery), and Mr. Chapman (Easter Duddingtt m 
Lodge). The following exhibits wire afterwards 
criticised : —A seedling Rhododendron, shown for the 
first time, from Mr. Machattie, New Battle Abbey ; 
and a spray of Clematis indivisa fully 11 ft. long, and 
containing 900 blooms, from Mr. Mackinnon, Melville 
Castle. The chairman referred to the appointment of 
Mr. Bayley Balfour to the Chair of Botany. He was a 
worthy son of a worthy sire, and bore a name well 
known in Edinburgh. The council considered that 
the association should write a letter of congratulation 
to Professor Balfour. This was agreed to. Mr. 
Morrison reported that from the box for the relief of 
needy members £5 had been paid out during the year, 
and £3 2s. remained as a balance. Votes of thanks 
to the office-bearers of the past year closed the pro¬ 
ceedings. 
Trachelium cceruleum.— Little notice seems 
to be taken of this old but beautiful herbaceous 
perennial. Nevertheless, it is well worth the attention 
of any gardener who may have to keep up a display 
in the conservatory all the year round. Its time of 
blooming is August, and with a little attention in 
cutting off decayed flowers, tying up and feeding with 
weak liquid manure, it may be had in bloom far into 
the winter; indeed, I have seen the same plants 
flowering from August to the following spring with 
very little care bestowed upon them, beyond an 
occasional application of manure-water and keeping 
them in a moderately dry warm atmosphere. The 
flowers are pale blue ; but individually they are in¬ 
significant, yet every truss is a complete bouquet in 
itself. The culture of the plant is so simple, that 
little need be said about it. For cuttings I prefer the 
softest points, which root freely in a good hot-bed any 
time during the spring. When rooted, pot off into 
moderately rich sandy loam, and place them in a close 
pit or frame for a few days to establish the roots in the 
new soil, after which they will do well in a cool frame 
until their blooming season. Attention to watering 
and pinching is all the care that is required. They 
flourish and flower well in 6-in. pots. For large 
specimens, cut down and keep the old plants.— 
J. T., Arlary. 
Late Chrysanthemums. — I enclose a few 
blooms of Chrysanthemums taken off plants which 
have been grown specially for late flowering. They 
have been very useful of late for cut flowers. I gave 
an outline in The Gardening World, Feb. 28th, 
1886, of the manner in which I treat them for late 
flowering. This winter I have had a batch grown on 
the same principle, and 1 have still a succession of 
good useful blooms. I may say that most of the 
varieties were procured from the nurseries of Messrs. 
T. Methven & Sons, Edinburgh.— John Dick, Schaw- 
park, Alloa, N.B. [The flower-heads sent were won¬ 
derful productions considering the period of the year ; 
and it would seem that with a little skill Chrysanthe¬ 
mum flowers could be produced all the year round. All 
of those sent were Japanese varieties, including white 
and blush of the Fanny Boucharlat type, golden-yellow 
and deep red or reddish purple varieties. They were 
accompanied by leaves of the fragrant Pelargonium 
Radulum and Aloysia citriodora, which improved them 
very materially, a hint that might be largely adopted 
by Chrvsanthemum growers for cut-flower purposes.— 
Ed.] 
