102 VINES 
In W. multijuga, the pale mauve racemes are 
from three to four feet in length, but I cannot say 
that this species is as satisfactory as the Chinese 
type. It is pretty when in flower, and if all the 
florets on the immense raceme opened at one time, 
it would be a grand sight. However, they do 
not, and by the time the florets on the lower 
portion or tip are open, the upper, basal ones 
are unsightly. The plant is useful in effecting 
a succession, as it flowers about two weeks later 
than the Chinese form. There is also a white- 
flowered variety. 
EARLIEST SPRING FLOWERS 
The first flower in early spring, from any hardy 
tree or shrub, is that of the yellow jasmine (/as- 
minum nudiflorum). Although the jasmines were 
introduced from the warmer climate of Asia, 
they are easily grown in American gardens 
requiring but little protection; in the latitude of 
New York, they may be termed hardy. I have 
grown Jasminum nudiflorum on the south shore 
of Long Island, fully exposed to winds, for six 
years without any winter protection, and it has 
never been killed or injured in even a trifling 
way. The jasmines are real twiners and revolve 
in a course opposite to that of the sun, but the 
