246 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



winter, and worthy of all the care and trouble that may be 

 given to its cultivation. 



LIGUSTRUM. 

 Privet. 



Ligustrum vulgare. The Common Privet, or Prim. 

 The Privet shrub is a native of Europe, and introduced from 

 thence to this country, and now has become domesticated in 

 many parts of New England. In England, the Privet is an 

 evergreen, or the leaves remain until driven off by new ones. 

 In this climate it is deciduous, shedding its leaves late in 

 autumn. " In France and Great Britain, the Privet is much 

 used for a hedge plant, either alone or with other plants. Its 

 use for this purpose is recommended by the beauty of the 

 foliage, the flowers and berries, by its rapid and easy 

 growth, and by the fact that it grows well under the drip of 

 other trees, except evergreens. It flourishes in almost any 

 soil, as may be easily seen from the variety of ground on 

 which it has sown itself in the vicinity of Boston ; and it is 

 propagated by seeds, or by cuttings, and requires very little 

 pruning. It grows in clumps, from strong, matted, bright-yellow 

 roots, in height six or eight feet. Flowers white, in short, 

 terminal panicles, in June ; the berries are of a shining black." 

 (Emerson.} 



The Privet blossom has been frequently celebrated for its 

 whiteness. 



The Privet, too, 



Whose white flowers rival the first drifts of snow 

 On Grampia's piny hills." 



The blossom of the Privet, when exposed to the noonday sun, 

 withers almost as soon as blown. In the shade, it not only 

 lasts longer, but is much larger. The leaves, too, are much 

 larger and finer, when so placed. 



