THE WINTER JASMINE. 99 



little here and a little there to insure regularity of growth, 

 and if any portion of the tree appears exhausted through 

 age, cut the branch away to the base, and at the same 

 time remove a few inches of the -top soil, supplying its 

 place with fresh turfy soil or half-rotten stable-manure. 

 There must be no " cut-and-come-again " practice with 

 this jasmine, or you may have to whistle for flowers, 

 and that is a profitless pastime on a winter day when 

 the wind already whistles too loud for any one to hear 

 your piping. 



There are several fine species of jasmine adapted for 

 general use that are but little known. Jasminumfruticans 

 is of upright habit, with dark green glossy leaves and 

 yellow flowers. /. humile is like the last in general 

 character, but more humble in growth ; the flowers are 

 yellow. /. revolutum makes a handsome bush, the leaves 

 dark green, the flowers yellow and fragrant. All these 

 are hardy, and flower during the summer. In places well 

 favoured as to climate a few fine species that are a trifle 

 tender may be planted, such as /. puligernm, J. Wal- 

 lichianum, and J. heteropkyllum, which have yellow flowers ; 

 and J. Azoricuin and J. odoratissinmm, which have white 

 flowers. Any good soil will suit this group, but they 

 need dryness and warmth, and are quite too tender for 

 the climate of London. The fruits of the jasmines are 

 not often seen, but in hot dry seasons the common white 

 jasmine (/. cfficinale] will in favourable localities produce 

 quite a crop of its round berries, of the size of smallish 

 peas, and of a dark colour. 



If you happen to have any extent of walls that might 

 with advantage be devoted to the production of winter 

 flowers, the following may be planted with a prospect of 



