REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST 133 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



stocks are not satisfactory. The lilac will also grow from green or ripe wood cut- 

 tings. Some of the varieties now to be obtained were originated by cross-breeding, 

 and this work offers a very delightful field for him who will devote his time to it. 



Lilacs grow well in many kinds of soil, but they do best in that which is moder- 

 ately rich and well drained. They produce such an abundance of flowers and seeds 

 that if grown in poor soil they will soon deteriorate. Suckers should be kept cut out 

 of the older bushes, as these often are the cause of the shrubs not blooming well, 

 and where grafted or budded varieties are grown it is absolutely necessary to do this. 

 Very little additional pruning is needed. During recent years lilacs have been used 

 quite extensively for forcing, the white varieties being the most popular. 



Insects rarely injure the flowers or foliage of lilacs and they are seldom affected 

 by disease, the leaves, however, being occasionally mildewed. 



Following is a descriptive list of the species tested here and of the best varieties 

 which have flowered. The species are arranged according to their time of bloom- 

 ing, beginning with the earliest : — 



Syringa vulgaris, L. (Common lilac). — The common lilac is a native of Eastern 

 Europe, and was introduced to cultivation in 1597. It is the best known of all the lilacs, 

 being found growing in nearly every garden, but is often neglected and allowed to 

 sucker badly, but even with this neglect it produces a profusion of flowers which are 

 not surpassed in perfume by any of the newer varieties. It begins to bloom during 

 the third week of May and lasts until near the end of the month. There are a much 

 larger number of seedlings of this species than of any other and some of them are 

 greatly superior to the parent, being of exquisite form and colour. Of these, 110 are 

 being tested in the Arboretum, and the following are the best of those which have 

 bloomed : — 



S. vulgaris, Leon Simon. — A very double variety with a large compact truss and 

 large flowers of a fine shade of lilac, with short petals. The buds are of a brighter tint 

 which adds to its attractiveness. Blooms in the last week of May. One of the best 

 doubles. 



S. vulgaris, Maxime Cornu. — Double. Truss large. A very distinct variety, the 

 flowers of which are almost pink. Very good. Blooms during the fourth week of May. 



S. vulgaris, Charles X. — Single. This is one of the oldest yet one of the best of 

 the improved varieties. It is a most profuse bloomer, no other variety excelling it in 

 this respect. The trusses are large and the flowers of an attractive deep purplish red 

 colour. It blooms a few days later than the common lilac, being at its best during 

 the fourth week of May. 



8. vulgaris, Jean Bart. — Double. Truss large and loose. Flowers double and of 

 a fine shade of purple with twisted petals which give it a more graceful appear- 

 ance than some of the more compact sorts. It is also beautiful when in bud, being 

 then deep lilac. Very good. Blooms during the fourth week of May. 



8. vulgaris, Jacques Calot. — Single. A free bloomer with large trusses and very 

 large flowers, the latter being of an attractive shade of lilac. Blooms during the 

 fourth week of May. One of the best. 



8. vulgaris, Souvenir de Ludwig Spath. — Single. This is a variety with very 

 dark purple flowers which makes a striking contrast to most of the other shades. 

 Blooms in the fourth week of May. 



S. vulgaris, Michel Buchner. — Double. A very free blooming variety with trusses 

 above the medium size, and having large double flowers of a fine pale shade of lilac 

 the buds being of a rosy hue. Blooms during the fourth week of May. One of the 

 best. 



S. vulgaris, Furst Liechtenstein. — Single. Truss and flowers large, the latter 

 being of an attractive lilac colour with a pinkish shade. A fine variety. 



