DECIDUOUS FLOWERING SHRUBS 33 



or biennial top dressing of well-rotted stable manure. 

 The flowers are produced in axillary racemes. 



They are admirably adapted for arranging in moderate 

 sized groups on the lawn and in prominent positions in 

 the shrubbery, but when arranged in the latter they 

 must not be allowed to be overgrown by other shrubs. 

 S. Obassia and S. serrulatum are the most beautiful of 

 the species ; they both bloom in spring and have white 

 flowers. 



SYRINGAS OR LILACS. The lilacs constitute one of 

 the most valuable of the several groups of hardy 

 shrubs grown for their flowers and should be largely 

 planted and given the small amount of attention neces- 

 sary to have them in their highest state of development. 

 They will thrive in any garden soil and they are at 

 home in both town and country gardens, but because of 

 their accommodating character they should not be sub- 

 jected to systematic neglect as is so frequently the case. 

 The chief point in their cultivation is to keep them 

 free from suckers which are annually produced in large 

 numbers, and if allowed to grow unchecked they push 

 up into the head and so crowd the growths as to render 

 a satisfactory display of bloom impossible. When the 

 suckers are kept down, and this can be readily done 

 with the hoe when a few inches high, they will 

 form handsome bushes that will produce finely devel- 

 oped thyrses of flowers in great prodigality. If the 

 plants have been grafted, the suckers from the stock 

 will, in the course of a few years, whoUy usurp the 

 place of the variety planted. A moderate thinning by the 

 removal of the weakly shoots will occasionally be bene- 

 ficial, but when the suckers are kept under very little 

 pruning will be necessary or desirable. They may be 

 increased by cutting, suckers and graftings, but the most 

 simple course of procedure is increase by suckers. 

 When it is desired to increase the stock the suckers 



