markably tough after they become established. 
Years ago, before I began growing Hollies from 
cuttings, I brought many to my farm from the 
wild. The best lot of all was found in a meadow 
where the owner, a dairyman, wanted to improve 
his pasture. He killed all brush and trees by cut- 
ting them to the ground. The Hollies, although 
cut off three times in ten years, did not die but 
grew on into real specimens. The owner was so 
glad to get rid of them that he refused the usual 
payment for such stock. My own Holly Orchards 
offer further proof of hardiness. Litile trees some- 
times spring up from portions of roots left when 
large trees are dug and these continue to grow 
on although we mow several times annually. Cut- 
ting to the ground seems to encourage growth and 
we get rid of these little trees only by digging 
them up root and all. 
The hardiness of Hollies brings to mind a point 
I wish to emphasize. All Hollies are benefited by 
heavy pruning. Without it they are apt to grow 
leggy and spindling. The work is best done when 
Holly is dormant—say from Thanksgiving to Eas- 
ter. You can cut berry twigs and branches at 
Christmas and not worry about loss of fruit the 
following year since flowers and berries form 
only on new wood. This applies to American Hol- 
lies. English and some other sorts form fruit buds 
on old wood. 
NAMED HOLLIES ARE BETTER 
I have told you about some of the places where 
Holly is now grown and suspect some, like many 
who visit my Holly Farm, will want to know “how 
come” the recent terrific increase in Holly plant- 
ing that covers so much of our country. Well, we 
know more about Holly now and proof that it is 
hardy rather than tender has helped. Then too, 
the stock of responsible Nurserymen has been 
much improved. It seems sensible not to buy any 
old Holly but to select one of the named sorts. 
These vary, but all are sure to be better than the 
average with no name. I could mention other 
things that help to make up the present great 
popularity of Holly but what counts more than 
all else is the actual planting. 
Take a minute to “think things out’ and you 
will find planting Holly to be as easy as ABC, 
nothing complicated, just different. Those who at- 
tempt to grow Hollies will find its demands very 
exacting but easily met. Soil conditions must be 
