242 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



It flowers in June. It has considerable beauty, and is particu- 

 larly valuable for retaining its bright green leaves through the 

 year, and for its scarlet berries. The leaves are seldom touched 

 by an insect. On these accounts it deserves cultivation as an 

 ornamental tree. It has great resemblance to the European 

 Holly, which makes the most durable hedge of any plant what- 

 ever, and one which is kept in repair, when once established, 

 at the least expense. The objection to it is the slowness of its 

 growth. Our tree is commonly found on a rather dry, sandy, 

 or rocky soil, but will grow on almost any. The European is 

 found to do best on a rich, sandy loam, in an open forest of 

 oak. It is propagated by seeds, or plants taken from the woods. 

 The seeds do not germinate for more than a year after sowing. 

 They are, therefore, kept in moist earth for a year after gather- 

 ing, after which they are sown at the depth of a quarter of an 

 inch in firm soil. The surface should be protected from heat 

 and drought by a covering of half-rotten leaves, or litter. 

 When transplanted, they should be protected for a while from 

 the heat of the sun. The best time for transplanting is early 

 in the spring, before the plant has begun to shoot." 



The same may be said of the seeds of the Thorn, and many 

 others, as of the Holly. They will not vegetate till the second 

 spring after maturing, and are prepared by exposing them to 

 the action of the frost, by slightly covering with earth, thus 

 remaining till they are to be sown in beds, or drills. 



KALMIA. 



A small genus of handsome evergreen indigenous shrubs. 

 Kalmia, in honor of Peter Kalm, a pupil of Linnasus. 



Kalmia latifolia. Mountain Laurel, Spoon Wood, &c. 

 Among the shrubs that embellish the scenery of the interior 

 of the country, this may be considered one of the most elegant. 

 Its general height is from five to ten feet, but may sometimes 

 be seen rising from fifteen to twenty feet, among the rocks 



