I873-] NOTES ON HARDY CONIFERS. 443 



removal to a greenhouse, or into one of the back sheds, where moderate 

 coolness and close shading will keep the flowers from expanding too 

 rapidly. One fact should be borne in mind, namely, that this plant 

 looks better a week before its best than a week after, as a profusion 

 of fresh flower-buds, with but a few open clusters, is a far more 

 enjoyable sight to a plantsman than a specimen covered with fully- 

 opened clusters past their prime, and partly yellow with age. 



The time requisite to grow on and flower an established specimen 

 varies from five to six months, so that a plant required for a June 

 show should be started into growth early in February. After flowering, 

 plants should be fully exposed to the sun and air, so as to ripen the 

 wood, which should be cut back in the winter or spring before the 

 plants are started, so as to get a supply of strong shoots from near the 

 base. In order to start the plants, plunge the pots in a tan bed, or 

 over the hot-water pipes, and syringe them freely on warm sunny 

 days. After root-action and growth commence, turn them gently 

 out of the pots, and give them a shift, carefully picking off* all super- 

 fluous old soil and decayed roots with the fingers, as a stick is apt to 

 bruise the young roots. Large pots are not necessary for this plant? 

 as fine specimens may be grown in a twelve-inch pot if liberally sup- 

 plied with manure water, as before recommended. 



Besides its value as an exhibition plant, it is useful planted out in 

 a stove and trained up the rafters, producing immense quantities of its 

 delicately-perfumed flowers, which are simply invaluable for the 

 drawing-room vase, or for bridal and other bouquets. A cluster of 

 Stephanotis flowers, backed neatly with a spray or two of Davallia or 

 Adiantum, makes an efi'ective ornament for ladies' hair; and about 

 three pips, neatly mounted with a spray of Davallia and a few flowers 

 of Forget-me-not, makes a charming " button-hole" bouquet for evening 

 dress. F. W. B. 



^^^^■^P-S^'S — 



NOTES ON HABDY COWIFEHS. 



TAXtJS (the yew). 



Though limited to only two or three species, and even these regarded 

 by some botanists as specifically identical, this genus is remarkably 

 rich in distinct and useful varieties — many of them possessing in such 

 a high degree those qualities so desirable in out-door decorative 

 shrubs, that they form a prominent feature in almost every orna- 

 mental plantation. 



It has a wide geographical distribution, the various forms being 

 found more or less abundantly over North America, the temperate 



