for their height,
and all require much attention to keep them in proper shape. All should
be clipped in June, after the first growth is made; they will then make
another short growth, which will keep the hedge in good condition until
the following year. The Pyramid Portugal has leaves about half the size
of those of the type and quickly makes a hedge. It is rather more
expensive than the commoner Laurels, but it moves well, and does not
become bare at the bottom.

OSMANTHUS ILICIFOLIUS.--This plant has not been much used for hedges,
but it makes a very good one if carefully looked after during the
first year or two. It somewhat resembles the Common Holly, and requires
much the same treatment. It is not very expensive to buy, and the hedge
should be kept to a height of 3 or 4 feet.

Deciduous Hedges

Many deciduous plants can be used for hedges, but a good selection
comprises Beech, Hornbeam, Quick, Myrobalan Plum, and Sweetbriar. The
first two require practically the same treatment, the most important
part of which is to procure good two or three years old transplanted
plants, and to treat them liberally at first. Beyond an annual trimming
they will not require any further attention, except to tie or peg down a
branch or two where gaps may occur. A well known gardener, writing in
the _Garden_, says: "We often find the Holly and the Yew largely used in
gardens as hedges, but they are not quite so good under all conditions
as the Beech or Hornbeam. The Beech is one of our many hardy trees both
for screens and hedges. The Copper Beech is seldom used for this
purpose, but this is a mistake. We have a fence of the Copper Beech,
dividing the kitchen garden from the pleasure grounds, 138 yards long,
18 feet high, and from 4 feet to 5 feet through. It forms a perfect wall
on either side, and in spring is one of the most interesting features of
the place. It would be useless planting the Copper Beech on a wet or
heavy soil--a light soil suits it best. The hedge is now in perfect
health, and all that is necessary is an annual clipping about the end of
August, before the wood gets hard."

[Illustration: _GREAT BEECH HEDGE AT MICKLEOUR, N.B._]

Quick and the Myrobalan Plum should be planted in double rows to form a
hedge, and be cut back hard at the time of planting to form a bottom to
the hedge, which would otherwise become leggy and bare at the base. If
they should happen to get into this state most of the growth should be