JANUARY 163 



house in Ireland ; it was covered in this midwinter time 

 with white flowers rather like a large Privet. 



I saw a pretty dinner -table decoration consisting of 

 a quantity of Jasminum midiflorum, picked and put in 

 small glasses with leaves from greenhouse plants. Also 

 an effective decoration was of Geranium flowers (Pelar- 

 goniums, red or pink) , arranged in saucers full of moss 

 and in between these narrow, pointed glasses with 

 branches of pink Begonias. A little winter-flowering 

 Begonia, called Gloire de Lorraine, has lately come into 

 fashion. What a term for a flower ! But it is true, and 

 plants of this Begonia make a charming table decoration 

 at a time of year when flowers are scarce. They look 

 best growing in pots. Roman Hyacinths in glasses 

 could be placed between, and pink shades used for the 

 candles ; or, for a small table, one plant in the middle 

 would be enough. The colour, the growth, the shape 

 of the leaves, all make it charming. I do not yet know 

 if it is difficult to grow, as I have only lately bought a 

 plant. 



I did not see it in Ireland, but a shrub that should 

 never be omitted from any garden, small or large, is 

 Lonicera fragrantissima. It begins to flower in January, 

 and continues through February and March. Like 

 every flower or shrub I know, a little care such as 

 pruning and mulching improves its flowering powers. 

 I had it here in a neglected state in a shrubbery for 

 years. I only knew its pretty green leaves, and never 

 guessed what it was or its early -flowering qualities. 

 But my gardening ignorance in those days was supreme. 



In spite of the time of year, I had pleasant days in 

 Dublin at the College Botanical Garden, and also at 

 Glasnevin, the 'Kew of Dublin.' The little Irises, Sty- 

 losa alba and speciosa, were flowering well. They must 

 be starved ; for if their foliage is good, it means no 



