In America we have learned that any kind of coniferous plant makes a good evergreen hedge if trained in a coniferous style. Hedges of Scotch pine, white pine, Norway spruce, hemlock spruce, red cedar and arbor vitae are not uncommon. There are, however, a few of the rarer kinds not yet come into use which would add much to the pleasure of our present variety of these. The London Journal of Horticulture says of the Californian arbor vitae :

" There are few if any conifers that will form a more beautiful hedge than Thuja gigantea, usually sold under the name of T. Lobbi. It is hardy, retains its bright green color throughout the winter, and is close yet elegant in appearance. T. occi-dentalis is cheaper and makes a good hedge, but in light soils is apt to get thin at the base. We have seen ornamental hedges of the Cedrus deodara, Abies excelsa and Cupressus Nootkaensis (often sold as Thujopsis borealis), and good, compact fences of Cupressus Lawsoniana; but the firmest, closest and most durable of conifer hedges are those of the yew, but it is of somewhat slower growth than most of the other trees named, and its dark color may not suit your taste. In planting to form hedges young trees should be inserted from one to two feet apart according to their size, the ground being trenched and manured to promote free growth."

It may, however, be remarked that here in Philadelphia, Thuja gigantea is of a yellowish green in winter, as well as the Thuja occidentalis, the common arbor vitae, though it is more shining and vigorous than the common form. The Law-son cypress, and Californian white cedar (Liboce-drus decurrens), are the brightest green in winter that we have. The yellow cedar (Cupressus Nootkaensis), makes a dense hedge, but that has a yellowish cast in the winter time.