224 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



of the former year ; and below the flowers, on the same 

 shoot, other shoots come out to succeed them ; for that 

 part upon which the flowers stand decays down to the 

 shoots below every winter. Therefore, if it is desired to 

 preserve the tree in full beauty, care should be taken in 

 plucking the flowers, not to take with them those young 

 shoots which are to produce the flowers of the following 

 season, or the blossoms will be comparatively few. 



The earth should be kept moderately moist, and the 

 Persian Lilac should be sheltered from frost. 



When the Lilac blossom has attained its full beauty, it 

 begins to fade gradually, until it becomes at last of a red 

 colour. Thus Cowper speaks of them as sanguine : 



" The lilac, various in array, now white. 

 Now sangmne, and her beauteous head now set 

 With purple spikes pyramidal, as if 

 Studious of ornament, yet unresolved 

 Wliich hues she most approved, she chose them all." 



Cowper's Task. 



" shrubs there are 



Of bolder giowth, that at the call of spring 

 Burst forth in blossom'd fragrance ; lilacs robed 

 In snow-white innocence, or purple pride." 



Thomson's Spring. 



