184 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



and the North of Europe. The seeds may be sown in 

 spring, in a fresh light soil, not very rich. At Michaelmas 

 they may be transplanted into separate pots, of a middle 

 size : or they may be increased by parting the roots in 

 autumn. The earth should be moderately moist, but never 

 wet; and great care should be taken to keep them free 

 from insects, with which they are often infested. 



GUELDER-ROSE. 



VIBURNUM OPULUS. 



CAPRIFOLIE^. PENTANDRIA TllIGYNIA. 



Elder-rose; Rose-elder; Snowball-tree. French, obier, boule de 

 neige : Italian, pallon di neve. 



THIS elegant shrub is a variety of a species of viburnum 

 called Water-elder, and delights in a moist soil. The 

 name of Snowball-tree is so appropriate as naturally to 

 suggest itself to the mind; and I have more than once 

 heard it remarked by persons who knew it only by its 

 more general title of Guelder-rose, that it should have 

 been called the Snowball-tree. 



It has, at first sight, the appearance of a little maple- 

 tree that has been pelted with snowballs ; and we almost 

 fear to see them melt away in the sunshine. This beautiful 

 snowball of summer continues, however, to adorn the green 

 leaves, which so finely contrast with its whiteness, for two 

 or three successive months, first appearing towards the end 

 of May. 



When kept in pots, the Guelder-rose will require water- 

 ing every evening in dry summer weather. Being a native 

 of North America, it will bear our climate very well ; but 

 it will be important, when in blossom, to shelter it from 

 heavy rains, which would be apt partially to thaw these 

 delicate flowers. 



