HYDRANGEA. 



have been lodged in, this is the best time to remove them 

 to a larger. The Hydrangea likes a rich soil, and is one 

 of the most thirsty of plants : to which circumstance, no 

 doubt, it owes its name. It is not, however, to be called 

 intemperate, since its thirst is entirely constitutional ; and 

 it desires no richer draught than pure water. This must 

 be given liberally. In winter, when there are no leaves to 

 nourish, a small quantity thrice a week will be sufficient ; 

 but in the summer it must be lavishly watered every 

 evening, and, if the weather be very hot, in the morning 

 also. If this is neglected, the plant will droop with a 

 kind of magical quickness ; and a large draught of water 

 will as suddenly revive it : but a frequent repetition of such 

 changes would materially weaken the plant. 



" So have I often seen a purple flower, 

 Fainting through heat, hang down her drooping head, 

 But soon, refresh her with a gentle shower, 

 Begin again her lively beauties spread, 

 And with new pride her silken leaves display, 

 And while the sun doth now more gently play, 

 Lay out her swelling bosom to the smiling day." 



P. FLETCHER. 



ft Like as a tender rose in open plain 

 That with untimely drought nigh withered was, 

 And hung the head ; soon as few drops of rain 

 Thereon distil and dew her dainty face 

 Gins to look up, and with fresh wonted grace 

 Dkpreads the glory of her leaves gay." 



SPENSER. 



Some of the gardeners have metamorphosed the word 

 Hydrangea into head ranger, as if it, had been named 

 after the chief officer of a park. The misnomers of plants 

 are often as amusing as those of ships. The poplar has 

 become a popular tree; the elm is called ellum ; acacia is 

 twisted into casher ; nasturtium into stertian ; the jonquil 

 is termed John-kill ; and the pyracantha, pia-campfior* 



