WINTER AND SUMMER EFFECT 295 



and pruned hard annually. 5. n. laciniata (the 

 Parsley-leaved Elder) is a beautiful and distinct 

 form of the cut-leaved Elder, which attains its true 

 character and makes splendid beds ; it requires the 

 same kind of treatment as to pruning as the above. 

 S. racemosa foliis aurea is unquestionably the finest 

 variety in cultivation, and one would like to see it 

 more often in our gardens, but there seems to be an 

 unreasonable prejudice against golden-leaved shrubs, 

 however beautiful. It does best on a deep rich soil 

 in a fully-exposed position, and prune back hard early 

 in April. The cuttings should be propagated in pots 

 in a cold frame. The whole of the Elders should be 

 planted 3 feet apart. 



SPARTIUM JUNCEUM (the Spanish Broom). Flowers 

 in early autumn and lasts a considerable time. Its 

 bright-yellow blooms are very telling in the distance. 

 Plant 4 feet apart, and prune after flowering. 



SPIRAEAS. Another beautiful and interesting class 

 for effect either in summer or winter, when suffi- 

 ciently large plantations are made and properly 

 treated. The whole of these should be planted at 

 a distance of 2 feet apart, on deeply-trenched and 

 well-manured ground. The North-West American 

 Spircea Douglast, though one of the most common, 

 is unsurpassed for its distinct and beautiful wood 

 during autumn and winter, but the only way to see 

 it at its best is to cut it clean to the ground every 

 year during the last week in March. It will then 

 produce young strong growths from 4 to 5 feet 

 in height, each of which will furnish fine heads of 



