OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 79 



narrow ; of a dark green colour and much substance, being arranged 

 in circular form on the round and somewhat wiry, tough stems, 

 which in time become very long and bare. 



In order to grow this shrub well, three conditions are needful, 

 viz., a moderately pure atmosphere, exposure to full sunshine, 

 and plenty of moisture ; it also prefers peat or vegetable soil, but 

 this is not strictly needful if the other conditions are present. ^ I 

 have grown the specimen, from part of which the illustration 

 (Fig. 33) was drawn, for four years in rich loam, without a 

 particle of peat, but the roots have been protected against 

 drought by large stones at the base of small rockwork. Doubt- 

 less, peat, where it is plentiful, used in addition to the above 

 compost, would prove beneficial. After a few years' growth in 

 one position, bushes which have become long and bare in the 

 stems may be transplanted with advantage, laying in the stems 

 to a moderate depth, from which new roots will issue the first 

 season ; this is also the readiest way of propagation. February 

 or September would be suitable months for such operation, but 

 the latter would probably interfere with its flowering at that 

 time, when frequently a second but spare crop is produced. 



Flowering periods, April and May, and again in September. 



Daphne Mezereum. 



MEZEREON; Old Names, SPURGE-FLAX, GERMAN OLIVE-SPURGE, 

 and DWARF BAY ; Nat. Ord. THYMELACE.E. 



THIS is a dwarf deciduous shrub, which produces its welcome 

 flowers in great abundance whilst bare of leaves ; it is a British 

 species, though not occurring generally, yet it is pretty well 

 known from its extensive cultivation as a garden shrub. The 

 flowers are very desirable, from the way in which they are pro- 

 duced in knotted clusters on the long stems; they appear in 

 winter ; moreover, they are of a hardy and durable nature and 

 very sweetly scented. As a shrub it is very suitable for any 

 sized garden, being dwarf 2ft. to 4ft. In some parts it is a 

 general favourite, and may be seen in almost every garden; 

 such patronage is well merited, as it not only enlivens the garden 

 at a dead season, but it heralds spring time and furnishes long 

 sprigs of wallflower-scented blossom as cut bloom, which shows 

 to advantage by gaslight. 



There are interesting facts in connection with this shrub that 

 add to its charm. It was esteemed of old of great virtue ; all its 

 parts are hot and biting, more especially the berries, of which it 

 was said that "if a drunkard do eate he cannot be allured to 

 drinke any drinke at that time : such will be the heate of his 

 mouth and choking in the throte." Its wood is very soft and 

 tough, and cannot easily be broken ; this, however is a quality 

 common to the genus. The berries are poisonous to man, but 



