March 5.—We received a request for infor-motion yesterday that is probably of general interest, so we refer to it in these notes: we were asked "What plants are used for hedges around foreigners' gardens in this part of the world?" For a low hedge or border there is nothing to beat the common "Rox" sempervirens), This plant is slow-growing and it thrives in a shaded position; regular trimming encourages it to keep its compact shape. For hedges between 18 inches and four feet in height, the shrub referred to locally as the large-leaved "Box" (Euonymus japonica) is most generally used. There are three varieties of this plant on the local market, one has dark green leaves, another has green leaves margined white while a third bears variegated leaves. The eonymus is most accommodating, it can be maintained at any height and it is probably the best evergreen we have for planting under windows. If a high hedge is desired our choice would be the Japanese Laurel (Viburnum odoratissimum). This shrub grows rapidly once it is established and it forms an excellent screen; it cannot be pruned like the other hedge plants owing to its large leaves, but the regular thinning out of branches keeps it within bounds. Junipers are often used to form hedges; but these trees are liable to become bare close to the ground and for this reason they are not very suitable for hedge planting. The Firethorn (Pyracantha augusti-folia) makes a fine hedge even if constant clipping does prevent it producing its attractive. berries in profusion as it does when permitted to grow naturally: it has the same fault as the juniper, but it is not difficult to plant young rooted cuttings between the older plants: this will prevent it becoming too "open." Cuttings are sometimes inserted between the plants when the hedge is being pruned. Many of them will take root and thrive. The trifoliate citron (Poncirus trifoliate) is another plant that is used hedges; ther are a few examples to be seen close to Shanghai, but it does not appear to be in such demand as it was at one time: all the -hedges were planted a long time ago. The branches
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