Irving, in his love of nature, thus alludes to " the holly providently planted about the house, to cheat winter of its dreariness, and to throw in a semblance of green summer".

It was during the month of March, 1676, while the adventurous and hardy colonists were "subduing the wilderness of North America," that the unprincipled and prodigal fellow, Charles II, "by the grace of God (?)" was king; - And who from his flagrant profligacy, the chroniclers of his day dubbed the "Merry Monarch," - pompously speaks of " our province of Nova Cesaria or New Jersey." And within the boundaries of the aforesaid State, at that early period, the leafy primeval spot among the pines, " and other sombre boscage," now known as Mount Holly, was then recognized by the good folks thereabouts as Bridge Town, and according to the natural fitness of things - when they "called a spade a spade " - was properly so called, from the number of bridges required to cross the circuitous Rancocas creek) which with many angles and singular sinuosities, seems to curve, twist, and turn most crookedly about the town, in its devious wanderings to find a way out.

From analogy, or, "what's in a name?" one would naturally expect to find some fair sized Holly trees, Ilex opaca, growing on the closely wooded "Mount," which majestically rises urn-brageously above the highly cultivated farms and gardens which picturesquely diversify the landscape of the surrounding level country, and from which the pleasant town of Mount Holly is, or was, appropriately named. But disappointment awaits the man, however diligently he searches, who expects to discover any with larger stems than a few inches in diameter. That ubiquitous person, the oldest inhabitant, says, "there used to be some good sized trees of that kind, thereabouts, when he was a boy; which have since then been wantonly destroyed." Yet, in the woods bordering on the town, which unhappily, I regret to say, are now fast falling before the merciless strokes of the wood-cutter's axe, may be found a few examples of about from forty to fifty feet high, and from twenty-four to thirty inches in circumference. But by far the most handsome and portly tree I have seen anywhere in the neighborhood, measures three feet ten inches in girth, with a rather uniform head, which rises from a clean, straight stem eight feet high, and then branches off some twenty feet above.

As an old admirer of Hollies, I am prone to speak in their favor, and by so doing, if possible, rescue them from the neglect and obscurity to which they seem to have been so long consigned. And as the Prinos and Holly are in the same natural order, Aquifoliacae, and like "The two Dromios," bear a strong family resemblance to each other, it would seem but proper to group them together.

When residing in the South, in ante-bellum times, the writer made a collection of the various kinds 0/ Hollies and Prinos, which are readily found in the woods in that region; and, which when planted in the ornamental grounds, proved very interesting to all who had an eye for beauty. Ilex angustifolia, I. Dahoon, with I. Cassine, are as handsome low growing shrubs as are to be found in this country. And if well protected with other evergreens of more robust habit, might be made to contribute to the beauty of the lawn and shrubbery in colder sections than they are usually seen.

And their kindred Prinos', which are equally handsome shrubs, some evergreen, and some deciduous, of which there are about a dozen native species, all of which are much appreciated in European collections. Those possessing most interest for ornamental purposes, here, are P. glabra, as pretty a little shrub as is grown, with P. verti-cillatus, and P. laevigatus.

There is a general, though erroneous opinion prevailing, that nothing is more difficult to successfully transplant than the native Holly, I. opaca. The want of success may, I think, in most cases, be attributed to a lack of skill in the planter. If, for instance, a sturdy looking bush of good size and shape is found growing in shady thickets, as they usually are, and is transferred to some open space on the lawn, "where it will show well," and there left in full foliage, it is a doomed tree, and will soon be a ghost of what it once was, when ** a glorious holly, so glossy and green." Now all this may be overcome by following Mr. Meehan's advice, as given in the July Monthly of 1878, which I quote in his own terse language, for the benefit of whom it may concern :

"The Holly has very sluggish roots, while its evaporating powers through its leaves are enormous. To be successful with transplanting Hollies, we have to regulate these extremes, which we do by cutting off the leaves in cases of doubtful success. We have never known a case where the leaves and half ripened wood were cut away, that perfect success did not follow, etc".

But as everybody knows who has given them a trial, nursery-grown trees, several times transplanted, are much to be preferred, and are really cheaper in the end, than those taken from the woods; and I would advise the planter to select them personally, or by catalogue, from some reliable nursery.

From what I consider the best nursery price list in the country, I perceive I. cornuta, the very handsome Japan Holly, one of the prettiest evergreens in cultivation, and perfectly hardy, with I. opaca, may be had at very reasonable prices; and of such, I would recommend all tree admirers to plant.

Of the European kinds of Hollies, which form such charming objects in the pleasure grounds, parks and gardens there - and in England espe-pecially - we must be content with seeing them there, as they are too tender for this climate. And yet, I have no doubt they would, under favorable conditions, succeed in the South. When grown in large pots or tubs, and housed in winter, o be brought out for spring, summer and autumn use, there is hardly anything more effective or beautiful, than variegated Hollies. Whoever has seen good specimens of the silver variegated Holly, I. latifolia, I. alba marginata, with the following named kinds, will have seen beautiful objects long to remember. To wit: I. argentea, the old silver variety, and the exquisite I. argentea ele-gantissima, with small creamy white foliage; I. aurantia, bronze-leaved; I. aurea marginata, with broad golden margins; I. versicolor, crimson and gold variegation; or the several green kinds, I. atrovirens, very dark glossy green, and I. lauri-lolia, with long entire laurel-like leaves; with many more attractive kinds.

However much we may admire them in these latter days, we can hardly be said to love and cherish them as did the people in earlier times, According to Pliny, "Tibertus built the city of Tibur near three Holly trees, over which he had observed the flight of birds that pointed to the spot, whereon the gods had fixed for its erection; and that these trees were standing in his own time, and must, therefore, be upwards of 1200 years old. He also tells us that there was a Holly tree then growing near the Vatican in Rome, on which was fixed a brass plate, with an inscription in ancient Tuscan letters; and that this tree was more than 800 years older than Rome itself." He also mentions a magnificent one in Tuscullum, with a trunk of 35 feet in circumference.

History also informs us that " the Holm, is the ancient name of the Holy tree (since corrupted into Holly), and was regarded by our ancestors as such, probably, from its use with that of the Ivy in decorating houses and churches, during the holy time of Christmas. But from pagan Rome, the custom seems to have been derived, of using it in the annual festival of Saturnalia, which occurred some time about Christmas".

And it was the policy of the early fathers to avoid shocking unnecessarily the prejudices of their newly-made converts. They assimilated the festivals of the Pagans and Christians as closely as possible, to these outward forms.

Of all legendary, or old historical trees, with the exception of the oak, hawthorn and yew, none possibly are invested with greater interest than the Holly. Both writers of fact and fiction have long made it famous. And, indeed, many are the sentimental subjects.in which it appears, especially when referring to the happy events Christmas tide usually brings about. While in the rich and quaint ballad lore of the ancient bards, as well as the modern poets' rhymes, both berries and leaves are often tastefully arranged in the pretty poetical garlands of these lovers of song. And the once popular ballad, "The Mistletoe Bough," which many gentle readers, no doubt, still remember how it conspicuously figured in the pleasant picture the poet gives of a Christmas holiday in the days of yore. And thus he sings:

"The mistletoe hung in the old castle hal', And the holly branch shone on the old oak wall; While the baron's retainers were blithe and gay, Keeping their Christmas holliday;" etc.

It would occupy too much space to quote but a few of the many poetical allusions to the Holly. So the following must suffice, written in the reign of Henry VI. The ivy being dedicated to Bacchus, was often hung outside the door, as a Vintner's sign in winter, while " Holy" (or Holly) "stond in the halle".

" Nay, Ivy, nay, it shall not be I wys;

Let Holy hate the maystry, as the maner ys.

Holy stond in the halle, fayre to behold;

Ivy stond without the dore; she ys full sore a cold.

" Holy and hys mery men they dawnsyn and they syng, Ivy and hur inaydenys they wepyn and they wryng." Ivy hath a lybe; she laghtit with the cold, So mot they all hafe that wyth Ivy hold.

" Holy hath berys as red as any Rose,

They foster the hunters, keep hem from the doo.

Ivy hath berys as black as any slo;

Ther com the oule and ete hym as she goo.

"Holy hath byrdys, aful fayre fok,

The Nyghtyngale, the Popyngy. the gayntyl Lavyrok.

Good Ivy! what byrdvs ast thou !

Non but the Howlet that' How ! How !' "

Evelyn speaks of "stout walls of Holly, 20 feet high," which are common in England at the present time. As a hedge plant, both ornamental and useful, it has no superior. And many readers will remember seeing the handsome neatly clipped hedges of I. Cassine, I. Dahoon, and I. opaca, about the better class of houses in the Southern States. And I see no reason why the last-named kind should not be used for similar purposes elsewhere. To form a beautiful or defensive hedge, living green screen, or wind break, it is much better adapted than are many things often so used. And for the pretty native birds, ii makes a snug warm retreat during winter.

I am sorry I cannot refer to any fine specimens hereabouts, where I naturally look for them. The largest trees are often shamefully hacked and senselessly mutilated; which makes one think the foolish ones have an antipathy for them. The most magnificent old Hollies I ever saw, are still growing in Needwood forest, England, where for more than a thousand years they have stood the storm, and, the last time I saw them, they still seemed good for a thousand more.

Mount Holly, N. J., August 29tht 1885.