THE SECEETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 251 



from five to ten feet high, growing in many parts of the country sometimes on 

 hillsides, sometimes along streams. Infusion of the" leaves is thought a valua- 

 ble medicine in cases of bowel complaints and hemorrhages. There are several 

 Japan varieties of the witch hazel, but the difference, so far as we learn, is 

 chiefly in the size of the leaves. 



WEIGELIA ROSEA. 



Although in Michigan the rose-colored weigelia is not always quite hardy, 

 still the beauty of the shrub leads people to plant it and care for it. Charles 

 E. Parnell talks about the shrub A'ery pleasantly. He says : 



The weigelia, or diervilla rosea, is a deciduous shrub growing about five feet 

 high, of erect, compact growth, with opposite, elliptical, ovate leaves, produc- 

 its large, rose-colored, funnel-shaped flowers in large and graceful clusters from 

 the axils of the leaves and the ends of the branches, in color varying from a 

 pale rose to a deep pink. It belongs to the natural order CaprifoliacccB, and 

 was introduced from China by Mr. Fortune, who found it growing in a manda- 

 rin's garden on the Island of Chusan. Mr. Fortune also said that it was 

 unknown in the southern provinces of China, and is not met with in the Chi- 

 nese hills in a wild state. It is, therefore, just ])ossible that it may have been 

 originally introduced into China from Japan. This, however, is only conjec- 

 ture. It first flowered in England in April, 1849. 



' Although it is a shrub of the easiest cultivation, it requires some attention to 

 grow it to perfection, and this attention should be given to enable it to i^roduce 

 satisfactory results. To grow it to perfection it siiould be given a deep, rich 

 soil. A yearly dressing of well rotted leaf mold, or manure will answer if the 

 mold cannot be obtained, and if tlie manure can be forked under so much the 

 better. 



It should not be cut severely back so as to resemble a bundle of sticks, but 

 several strong shoots should be chosen for leaders. These will also throw out 

 other shoots from different places, and when the plant comes into bloom, will 

 bend to the ground from the weight of the large clusters of beautiful flowers. 

 As before said, the soil must be deep and rich, and if not so naturally, it must 

 be made so. This is a most essential point in the culture of this plant. After 

 the flowering season is over, cut out all weak shoots, and at the same time cut 

 the plants back into shape. If the leaders have a tendency to grow too rank, 

 pinch them back so as to keep the plants in proper shape, but do not cut the 

 plants back again until the flowering season is over. 



The Weigelia can also be grown as a standard shrub by selecting one of the 

 strongest shoots, fastening it to a stout stake so as to keep it erect, and also to 

 prevent it from being broken off while young. Ks> soon as it reaches the 

 desired height, pinch back the shoot and remove all the other shoots excepting 

 those at the top. As soon as those top shoots are five inches long, cut them 

 back to three inches and continue this process for one season. After the 

 second season the shoots will require to be pinched back occasionally during the 

 season of growth, so as to keep the plants in good shape. Care must also be 

 taken to remove all suckers as soon as they are noticed; thus grown the 

 Weigelia will prove to be peculiarly attractive, and it will also admit of the 

 grass underneath being cut by the mower. 



