COUNTRY ' LIFE
Mistletoe for Holly The vans, often armed with rather ruthless campaigners, which tour the country against Christmas and return laden with holly, have had much longer journeys than their wont. Holly is in plenty ; but holly-berries are very few indeed, not because the trees and bushes were barren but because the birds, especially the blackbirds, were many and previous. Yet with some berries the countryside is even more than usually bright. One sweetbriar hedge is opaque with hips. They are as thick almost as were the leaves and have not been touched, though the shell that holds the pips is sweeter than most berries. The ivy is well-berried, but the colours of course are not gay enough for Christmas. Householders will have to rely on that genial parasite or epiphyte . the mistletoe ; but how very little grows in England ! And how much in. France, where it finds a peculiarly congenial host in the popular poplars of the Aisne district. A more or less new enemy, or friend, to its berries has appeared in the medical professional. It supplies a very useful remedy, though doubtless its aid in adding to Christmas gaiety is yet more remedial.
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