Eljobolienbron ^ocietp 
planted early in the season to avoid failures, and is of somewhat slow growth. 
Still, what a plant it is ! Next in order of merit one would place Arundinaria 
metake, the best of all for situations under trees, even beeches; but 
deficient in height and slow except in moist and loamy soil; A. anceps runs it 
close, and has the advantage in height, colour and grace, but its habit of 
“ running ” needs a ditch or some preventitive, which rubs off some of the gilt. 
The mention of growth beneath beeches, calls to mind the fact that that 
dreary plant, Thujopsis dolobrata, will undertake this duty if required. In light 
soil, the large leaved variety (and some of the variegated ones), of the common 
holly is hard to beat, but it needs protection from rabbits for some years, and 
indeed always unless foliage is maintained close to the ground, as of course it 
should be for shelter. Escallonia macrantha is quite hardy here in situations 
which are bone dry in winter, e.g., on the top of a sunk fence. 
Perhaps " too slow ” will be the verdict of many in regard to the above list, 
and this charge brings into notice the common laurel (v. rotundifolia for choice), 
of many merits, and probably the most universally used for the purpose, but, 
and a large “ but ” too, it has many disadvantages also. The rapidity of its 
growth is almost certainly the main reason for its use as a wind-screen, because 
its tendency to get leggy compels work with the knife, or even the detestable 
shears. But, if room allows, the laurel can be planted with a “ front ” of other 
small evergreen plants (e.g., Mahonia aquifolium—the easiest and most effective 
combination known to the writer), which will obviate the necessity of maiming 
a plant which demands to be left in peace to display its really grand form. 
The mention of the combination of two or more plants for this purpose opens 
up much ground, and a subject upon which the writer would be very glad to 
know the experiences of other members. Does anyone know a plant suitable 
to front Arbutus unedo, and which would not be crushed out as time went on ? 
But amongst the plants which suggest themselves for the front row of such work 
the following may be mentioned :— 
Pernettya mucronata. This plant requires a cool bottom, and is inclined 
to run, but it is apparently quite “ rabbit proof.” Always neat and with 
charming berries. 
Ulex nanus on dry soils, uninteresting, but dense and easy of control. 
The old-fashioned Scotch roses. 
Box, Bay, Elceagnus pungens aurea-variegata. 
Gynerium makes a fine ground block, of which the variety sold as 
" monstrosum ” is perhaps the best. 
Among plants not so easily obtainable are the evergreen Cotoneasters,. 
varieties buxifolia (10 ft. to 12 ft.), pannosa (10 ft.), and amoena (3 ft. to 5 ft.). 
Berberis stenophylla is preferable to Berberis Darwinii, in that it 
maintains density with much less attention, but is not so attractive at all seasons. 
The barberries have an evil reputation as soil robbers, but B. Sargentiana, 
said to form a dense upright thicket 6 ft. in height, and B. Verruculosa (2 ft. to 
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