90 



NAT. ORDER. — POMACEiE. 



spect than adiuired for the profusion and elegant disposition of its 

 corymbs of flowers along the sides of the branches, forming perfect 

 garlands. 



The common May Hawthorn, as it is usually called, with its 

 snow-white blossoms, ranged along each spray, is admired by every 

 body ; but how much more attractive is this scarce and splendid 

 variety, combining the intense coloring of the rose with the delicate 

 elegance of the kalmia. The early history of this ornamental plant 

 is somewhat imperfect. Its first introduction into the flower-garden 

 was about twenty years ago ; and, though it has been extensively 

 propagated in some parts of England, and, no doubt, elsewhere, it 

 does not appear to have been noticed, nor so extensively planted as 

 it deserves. 



Propagation and Culture. This species of Hawthorn is best 

 fitted for shrubberies or plantations ; but will not grow under the 

 drip of trees, and, therefore, in a profitable point, is only to be con- 

 sidered valuable as affording impenetrable, close, durable, and easily 

 raised fences, called quick-set hedges, and it bears clipping to any 

 extent. The timber of such plants as grow single, and attain a tol- 

 erable size, is valued by the millwright and turner, and the roots by 

 the cabinet-maker. It is often spoiled. Sang observes, through inat- 

 tention after cutting. If it be allowed in entire logs or trunks, it 

 soon heats and becomes quite brittle and worthless. It therefore 

 ought to be cut up immediately into planks, and laid to dry. The 

 thorn will not tlirive in a wet soil, nor one very hard and poor, much 

 elevated or much shaded : a free, deep loam, in an airy situation, 

 suits it best. The seeds or haws of the thorn do not vegetate until 

 the second year after sowing, unless they have been laid up in a 

 heap mixed with earth, immediately after gathering, and turned 

 several times, and sown in a bed the next spring : under such treat- 

 ment many of them will vegetate the same year. The plants should 

 remain in the seed-bed for two years, and afterwards planted out in 

 nursery rows, where they may remain for two or three years before 



