Evening star., 1942-12-20
What of Holly!
Try Growing Your OzVn Bushes in Pots
By Gael Renfrev

'entrelC
Whether cultivated for its
beauty, or as a business, the holly
brings rich rewards. 1t is slow
in coming to maturity, but once
established it means an income
that is assured for several life
times.
According to the Federal De-
partment of Agriculture, THE pro
duction of Christmas holly green's
is a practical means of augment
ing farm income in certain por-
tions of the United States. The
American and common English
hollies normally are long
lived and capable of producing
greens for a century and more If
properly managed"
An annual income of $3.50, 900
from this source is obtained by
10,00O-15,0O persons in the East
ern Shore of Maryland alone.
Even solitary holly trees will
often yield enough green's to pay
for their care if a good local mar
ket for small quantity of greens
Is available.
Holly grows best in well-drained
deep sandy or gravelly loam soil
that is fairly strongly acid or
what Is known as subacid.
1t may be planted any time
that the ground can be dug, but
April and May are considered the
best months.
Wild holly, or that found in the
woods, Is a true forest species,
growing among many compan-
ion trees. Due to its slow growth
it is often overtopped by red
naples, black tupelo and sweet
gum. In order to let such hollies
develop their crowns"-or ex-
pand into greater richness-it is
necessary to remove these over
shadowing trees, allowing more
light and air to reach them.
Since hollies are of both gen.
ders, male trees should be planted
In proximity to females. 1t is
the latter that bear the berries,
or the fruit. The holly flower is
whitish. And while we are prone
to think of scarlet against the
glossy green, there are varieties
that produce yellow berries.
While there are more than 300
members of the Hex family, to
which the hollies belong, it is
principally the American holly or
Hex opaca, and the English holly,
or Hex aquifolium, that are used
for greenery. A new Southern
species that has come into promi-
nence in recent years is the
Dahoon, with a smaller leaf,
scarcely toothed, and often pre-
senting yellow berries.
American hollies reach a height
of 40-45 feet, while the English
cousins grow taller - sometimes
rising to 70 feet.
In Christmas lore holly has an
honored place. 1t is considered
the holy tree because the an
clients we're wont to use it for
decoration, and during the festi-
val of the Saturnalia, which be-
gan on December IT, the Ro-
mans sent boughs to their
friends. The oak trees we're bare
of leaves at that season, and
holly is one of the few ever
greens that have broad-spread-
ing leaves.
The Druids thought holly
sacred. To them its evergreen
leaves meant that the sun never
deserted it.
1t is hateful to witches, and
placed on doors and windows
has long had the reputation o1
keeping out evil spirits.
"All malign spells and enchant-
mentS" would fade into thin all
if a branch of holly were planted
about the house, and the house
would also be defended from
lightning, according to Pliny.
Brought into the house on
Christmas Day bunch of holly
showing crimson berries, is said
to bring luck.
Holly has also noted medicinal
properties. From its bark a
febrifuge can be produced-a
cooling drink that will reduce
fever. Its berries provide an
aperlent and emetic, and an
astringent, it is said, can be made
from it's leaves.
Mate, our good neighbors' fav-
orite tea, which has become
better known in recent years, is
the leaf of a South American
species Of holly.
The wood of the holly tree
which Is ivory white, hard ano
fine of grain, is well known tc
cabinet makers and is also usec
f0y. y,,,,ciro1