182 flAKDKN TLOWEnS. 



The cotonensters are noAv assuming tlieir red, 

 or in some species, their purple berries. Their 

 pretty white or red blossoms come out in early 

 spring, but they are so small as to be little con- 

 spicuous, and the plant is far better known to 

 us by the beads of coral with which it is studded 

 during autumn and winter. The common kind 

 {Cotoneaster vulgaris) often gi'ows in gardens. 

 It is a frequent shrub in southern Europe, and 

 was introduced into this land in 1656. The 

 other species are of comjoaratively recent intro- 

 duction, and are natives of India. The plant 

 was named from the cottony down which 

 invests the young shoots and fruits. Some of 

 the Nepal species are handsome, especially the 

 taper pointed and the downy kinds. They are 

 all hardy, and may be grafted on the quince or 

 hawthorn. 



Although the sweet mignonette {Reseda 

 odorata) is triJy a summer flower, yet it may, 

 by a little management, and without the aid of 

 the greenhouse, be made to flower almost 

 throughout the year. Indeed, the hardy plants 

 which are self-sown, are often numerous at this 

 season. If the mignonette be wanted for a 

 winter flower it should be sown in July, and 

 kept well watered. It is very fragrant, and the 

 Parisians and the inhabitants of our own metro- 

 polis alike value its odours, for it may be seen 

 in both cities where 



" The saslies ranged 

 Of orange, myrtle, or the fragrant weed, 

 The Frenchman's darling," 



send forth sweet odours on the air. 



