50 FOBSTTHIA YIKIDISSIMA. 



campanulate in form, with a short tube plaited within, and a limb cleft into four 

 spreading obtuse segments. The stamens are two in number, with filaments so 

 short, that they are quite concealed in the tube. 



In the diandrous character of its flowers, the Forsythia, and, indeed, all the plants 

 of the Olive tribe, approaches the Jasmines, the two tribes having been formerly 

 united ; but the pendulous ovules of the Oleacece sufficiently distinguish them from 

 the latter, which have, moreover, a jive-cleft corolla, and seeds containing but a very 

 small quantity of albumen, whilst those of the Olive tribe abound in this 

 substance. 



The Forsythia is easily cultivated, and as easily increased, the most ready mode 

 of propagating it being by layers ; but cuttings of the ripened wood, about a foot 

 or more long, taken off in autumn, and planted in sandy loam, will root freely. 



A soil of this character is also best suited for established plants ; in rich moist 

 earth it produces long-jointed shoots, and continues its growth later in autumn than 

 is compatible with the due maturation of the wood. A situation against a wall 

 is to be preferred for it, because in this position the shoots will be subjected 

 to a greater amount of heat, which will materially assist the ripening process. 

 It cannot be too often repeated that in this consists the whole art and mystery 

 of acclimatizing the plants of warmer regions than our own, though in this 

 instance we have to deal with a plant from a district where the winters are 

 certainly much severer than in any part of Great Britain. The summers are, 

 however, of an equally extreme character, and the shrubs and other plants of 

 the North of China are therefore well prepared by the roasting they undergo, 

 to endure the subsequent reduction of temperature. As a further illustration of 

 this principle, we may remark that in the neighbourhood of New York, where, 

 as our readers know, the winters are of a rigorous nature, the Forsythia flowers 

 freely as a bush or standard ; and this is to be attributed solely to the elimination 

 of all watery juices by the warmth of an American summer. 



This mention of Standards reminds us that the Forsythia is grown in this form 

 by Messrs. Standish and Noble of JJagshot, and probably by other Nurserymen. 

 "When in flower, these trees have an extremely interesting effect, especially if 

 planted amidst shrubs of an evergreen character. "When grown as a bush, an 

 exposed situation should be avoided; a warm comer, or a south exposition, 

 sheltered by tall evergreens, will protect tbe flowers from the cutting March 

 winds, and preserve them in beauty for a longer period. 



All the plants of the Olive tribe succeed when grafted on each other ; and it 

 appears worth suggesting whether some advantage might not be obtained by 

 grafting the Forsythia on one of the dwarfer species of Ash, or even on the 

 Phillyreas and Fontanesia. 



The Forsythia blooms whilst comparatively small, and may now be had cheap 



