IN THE UNITED STATES. 47 



with it a profusion of bloom of snowy wliiteness, precisely like 

 the flowers of Ranunculus aconitifolius, but smaller ; it is in no 

 way particular as to soil, but dry rather than moist earth appears 

 to suit it best. From its success here, it is evident that in Eng- 

 land it would require a well-drained soil and an open, airy situa- 

 tion, where it would receive all the sun and light which the 

 climate can give, so as to get the wood thoroughly and perfectly 

 ripened by autumn : this secured, a good bloom is certain. 



For forcing, this plant is invaluable ; for this purpose speci- 

 mens grown in pots should be placed in a sunny situation, in 

 order to mature their wood well ; if this is not attended to, failure 

 will ensue. I have observed in some of the forcing houses in this 

 country, tiiat wlien the plants had been kept too warm, in too 

 dark a house, or the atmosphere over moist, green flowers were 

 the result, and in some instances no flowers at all. Now, if this 

 will happen in a climate like that of the Middle States, wliere the 

 wood had been well ripened, how much more likely is it to 

 occur in England, where the wood is never half matured, and the 

 plants in tiiat state transferred to a warm dark forcing-house, at 

 a season when there is little sun ! There are few plants more de- 

 serving of care or attention than this, whether employed in or- 

 namenting the shrubbery in spring, or the conservatory and 

 green-house at an early season. How very neces.sary it is that 

 we should know the latitudes from whence plants come, in order 

 to be able to treat them properly ! How frequently is every 

 method but the right one tried ! — soil, situation, frequently too 

 much heat. Had more of the beams of the sun been permitted, 

 all would have been well. 



Forsythia riridissima. — The value and exquisite beauty of 

 this plant are not, I fear, sufficiently known in England, where 

 by many it is only considered a second rate subject. When Mr. 

 Fortune introduced it to the Garden of the Horticultural Society 

 from China, he spoke in high terms of its beauty, and I question 

 much whether any thing more handsome can be found among all 

 his introductions, not excepting even the lovely Weigela rosea. 

 It has qualities aa Inch the latter does not possess, and which must 

 ever render it one of the most Aaluable of hardy plants. From 

 specimens which I had an opportunity of inspecting in England,* 

 I entertained a doubtful opinion of its merits. What was my 

 surprise last March, however, when I beheld a magnificent bush 

 of it in the nursery of A. Saul and Co., Newburgh, New York, 

 covered with myriads of its deep yellow blossoms ! The nursery 

 in question is situated in the highlands of the Hudson, with that 



* Some persons may have been successful in cultivating it there, but no 

 really fine plants ever came under my notice in that country. 



