98 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 



and successful expedition on behalf of the Royal Horti- 

 cultural Society, in the years 1843 to 1846. It is a hardy 

 deciduous shrub so hardy, that although we have had 

 some half-dozen terrible winters since it became established 

 in the country, we have never heard of an instance of its 

 being destroyed or even seriously injured by severe frost. 

 Accustomed as we are to " floral surprises " which do not 

 cease to " surprise " even when one gets used to them we 

 think we were never more surprised than in the month 

 of March, 1880, when on the first look round after about 

 three months of the most destructive and horrible frost 

 and fog, we found on the wall beside the garden door a 

 delicate stippling of the yellow flowers, with an under- 

 colour of the grass-green branches of this storm-defving 

 and most cheerful jasmine. It was like life starting from 

 the grave, and at all events it was an assurance that the 

 grave had not closed over all things, as it seemed likely to 

 do, when the twelve days' fog of the preceding February 

 had carried both heart-break and sorrow into innumerable 

 homes where the winter had begun with mirth and gladness. 

 Such a plant is a pearl of great price, although it may be 

 bought with a shilling, and will grow anywhere, even in 

 the stuff the builders call " dirt/' As any soil will suit 

 this plant, so will any aspect. 'But a sheltered corner, and 

 if possible a dry, warm, sandy soil, should be chosen for it, 

 in order to secure its flowers- in plenty in the very depth of 

 winter. Then you have but to nail it carefully to the wall 

 or fence, and prune it just enough to keep it tidy. To 

 employ the knife in any way, with a view to promote the 

 production of flowers, will prove a grave mistake. Let 

 your tree grow in its own way, and it will flower in its own 

 way, and that will be the best way. But you may cut a 



