SPIRAEA. 403 



Of the shrubby Spiraeas, the dead wood and the irregular 

 branches should be pruned off every year : the suckers 

 should likewise be removed, or they will starve the old 

 plant. They should be new-potted, and have fresh earth 

 given them every spring. 



Of the herbaceous sorts the roots may be parted in 

 autumn. They must all be kept moderately moist. Being 

 generally natives of cold countries, they do not fear the cold. 



Clare mentions the Meadow Sweet, in speaking of the 

 effect of the noon-day sun upon flowers in the open country : 



( ' Oh ! to see how flowers are took, 

 How it grieves me when I look ! 

 Ragged-robins, once so pink, 

 Now are turned as black as ink, 

 And the leaves, being scorched so much, 

 Even crumble at the touch ; 

 Drowking lies the meadow-sweet, 

 Flopping down beneath one's feet : 

 While to all the flowers that blow, 

 If in open air they grow, 

 Th* injurious deed alike is done 

 By the hot relentless sun. 

 Even the dew is parched up 

 From the teasel's jointed cup." 



Ben Jonson includes it among the flowers scattered on 

 the altar in honour of Pan. Having already enumerated a 

 great variety, he adds : 



" Bring, too, some branches forth of Daphne's hair, 

 And gladdest myrtle for these posts to wear ; 

 With spikenard weaved and marjoram between, 

 And starred with yellow golds, and meadows green ; 

 That when the altar, as it ought, is drest, 

 More odour come not from the phoenix's nest; 

 The breath thereof Panchaia may envy, 

 The colours china, and the light the sky *." 



* This allusion to the brilliant colours of china was made when it 

 first began to appear in the shops of London. See Jonson's Works, 

 Gifford's edition, vol. viii. p. 45. 



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