Europe from Norway to Turkey and parts of Asia. It is 
probably the largest of all the hollies attaining a known 
height of 75 feet and a trunk girth of 14 feet. Next in 
size is American holly, Ilex opaca, which reaches 55 feet 
in height and 10 feet in circumference of the trunk. This 
tree is native from Massachusetts to Florida and westward 
to Texas and Oklahoma. It also is found up the Missis- 
sippi valley to Missouri and Indiana. It is thence indi- 
genous to a very large area of the United States, while 
it will grow in a much larger area. 
EVERGREEN HOLLIES 
Indoors and Out 
Evergreen hollies in small sizes make delightful house 
plants which require no special attention if they are kept 
in a cool room. Morning sun is beneficial, afternoon sun, 
sometimes, harmful. In the house do not water too often, 
yet the soil should not become dry. 
A little bone meal spread lightly over the soil is bene- 
ficial for English and Chinese hollies. American hollies 
prefer a fertilizer with a more acid reaction, such as cot- 
tonseed meal or castor bean meal. If these cannot be had 
use Hollytone or a similar acid reacting fertilizer. 
Some persons living in a region where hollies do not 
do well planted out of doors, keep their plants indoors 
each winter. Each spring they are repotted using rotted 
cow manure and a pot | inch larger, after which the pots 
are sunk in the garden. Then the hollies thrive and if a 
male of the same species is present, berries will set to be 
enjoyed the following winter indoors. 
When planting hollies, choose a location with good 
air and soil drainage. Do not plant them in ground that 
is soggy or subject to flooding. They need sunlight or 
light high shade. Do not plant them too deep. The top 
roots should be just under the surface of the soil. Mulch 
hollies each December with peat moss, buckwheat hulls 
or similar material. 
During dry weather water hollies thoroughly once a 
week. Do not sprinkle each day. This may do more harm 
than good. Keep weeds from competing with hollies for 
food and water. Light cultivation is beneficial. Do not 
damage roots. Protect hollies from rabbits and field mice. 
Hollies from the Orient 
Some of the most interesting, unique and beautiful 
plants of our gardens are of Chinese origin, and _ hollies 
are no exception. Among the red fruited species will be 
found outstanding trees which are becoming more appre- 
ciated each year. 
First to be mentioned is Ilex cornuta, the horned 
holly, which is a small bushy headed tree with curious, 
thick, leathery, quadrangular leaves of unusual gloss. 
The three spines at the apex are long, strong and sharp. 
There are usually two others at the base, although on 
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