REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 



47 



at the Experimental Farm. Both the red and white varieties bloom freely and remain 

 in flower for a considerable period, and both may be propagated by suckers which are 

 freely produced when the bushes are well established. 



1 1. Large flowered Mock Orange (Philadelphus grandiflora.) Our collection would be 

 very incomplete without an example of the Mock Orange or Syringa. There are several 

 species belonging to this genus, which are very beautiful and interesting, especially 

 when in bloom. Grandiflora is one of the best of them. The flowers are large, pure 

 white, and sweet scented, and are produced in great abundance during the month of 

 June. The bush is a vigorous grower ; and if not interfered with will, under favourable 

 conditions, eventually reach a height of 8 or 10 feet. Since the flowers are produced 

 only on the wood of the previous year, this may be cut away when the flowering period 

 is over, which will give more room to the new shoots, and they will become better 

 ripened. In this way these shrubs may be kept smaller and made to produce flowers in 

 greater profusion. The Syringas will, however, do very well without any pruning 

 beyond the occasional removal of dead wood, and flower freely. The large flowered 

 species is fairly hardy and usually comes through the winter without much injury, espe- 

 cially where partially protected by other trees and shrubs, but in seasons of unusual 

 severity the shoots are often partly winter killed. 



12. Large flowered Hydrangea. Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora. Although 

 placed last, because it is later in flowering, the merits of this hydrangea would fairly 

 entitle it to be put among the first and best of flowering shrubs. It was introduced 

 from Japan in 1874, and during the twenty years which have since elapsed, it has 

 become one of the most widely diffused and favourite shrubs in cultivation. It succeeds 

 well under many different climatic conditions, and will grow in almost any soil which is 

 fairly rich, provided it be well supplied with water. Fig. 9 represents a specimen in 



Fig. y. — JLarge flowered Hydrangea. 



one of the flower borders at the farm, and shows the profuse flowering habit of this 

 shrub. The clusters of bloom are very large, sometimes nearly a foot long and 8 to 10 

 inches wide, and are borne at the ends of the branches. After fully expanding, the 

 flowers, which are white, remain in good condition for about a fortnight, after which 

 they begin to assume a pinkish hue and gradually become soiled with dust and by in- 



