370 FLORA HISTORICA. 



Rod. The Hortus Kewensis enumerates thirty dif- 

 ferent species of this plant, one of which is indige- 

 nous to England, one a native of Wales, and one 

 has been found on the Pyrenees; the remainder 

 all belong to North America. 



The Canadian Golden Rod, Solidago Canaden- 

 sis, was first introduced to our gardens in the year 

 1648 ; but as this species seldom exceeds more 

 than two feet in height, it is not so much sought 

 after as the taller kinds, which give a rustic gaiety 

 to the shrubbery during the autumnal months, 

 and is, therefore, well adapted as an ornament to 

 cottage-gardens and rural grounds, where its spikes 

 of multitudinous yellow flowers produce an agree- 

 able effect interspersed with dark evergreens, or 

 forming a background to banks of China Asters : 

 it also contrasts well with the lilac colour of the 

 Michaelmas Daisy. 



These plants are increased by parting their 

 roots, which should be done in the autumn, as soon 

 as their flowers are past, or early in the spring, 

 before they begin to send up shoots. It is one 

 of the plants we recommend to ornament the 

 banks of lakes and rivulets, where its pliant golden 

 rods appear to great advantage when reflected in 

 the water. 



AVe do not find this plant noticed in the hiero- 



