OBSERVATIONS ON THE BROOM- 99 



verts the most barren spot into a fine odoriferous garden," says Mr. 

 Martyn, speaking of this species. 



All the species here named will endure the cold without shelter ; 

 they do not like much wet. Our common Broom surpasses many of 

 the foreign kinds in beauty ; indeed few shrubs are more magnificent 

 than this evergreen, with its profusion of bright golden blossoms. 



" On me such beauty summer pours 

 That I am covered o'er with flowers ; 

 And when the frost is in the sky 

 My branches are so fresh and gay 

 That you might look at me, and say, 



This plant can never die. 



* * * * 



The butterfly, all green and gold, 



To me hath often flown, 



Here in my blossoms to behold 



Wings lovely as his own." 



Wordsworth. 



They are the delight of the bees ; and the young buds, while yet 

 green, are pickled like capers. It is said that the branches arc of 

 service in tanning leather, and that a kind of coarse cloth is manu- 

 factured from them. The young shoots are mixed with hops in 

 brewing, and the old wood is valuable to the cabinet-maker. Brooms 

 are made from this shrub, and from their name it is supposed to have 

 furnished the first that were made. 



" Where yon brown hazels pendent catkins bear, 

 And prickly furze unfolds its blossoms fair ; 

 The vagrant artist oft at eve reclines, 

 And broom's green shoots in besoms neat combines." 



Scott. 



In the north of Great Britain it is used for thatching cottages, 

 corn, and hay-ricks, and making fences. In some parts of Scotland, 

 where coals and wood arc scarce, whole fields arc sown with it fur 



fuel. 



But the Scotch have long been aware of the poetry as well as the 

 utility of tins beautiful shrub. The burden of one of their most 



popular songs is well known : — 



i 2 



