JASMINE. 167 



JASMINE. 



(JASMINUM.) 



" Then, how serene ! when in your favorite room, 

 Gales from the Jasmine sooth the evening gloom." 



Of the Jasmine there are several varieties in cultivation, 

 both in the hot-house as well as the green-house. The one 

 most generally cultivated is /. qfficinale. a fine ornamental, 

 deciduous, climbing plant, bearing white flowers of a deli- 

 cious fragrance, making their appearance in June, and 

 which continue until checked by the early frost. The 

 leaves are pinnate and acuminate ; the heads generally up- 

 right. This desirable fragrant shrub was introduced into 

 Europe in 1546, and was little known, except by reputation, 

 until the latter part of the seventeenth century. This was 

 owing to the selfish disposition of the Grand Duke of Tus- 

 cany, at Pisa, the only person known to possess the plant. 

 Nor would it have been known to the floral world for years 

 after, had not his gardener given a sprig in a bouquet to 

 his sweetheart, which she planted ; and from that same 

 sprig she propagated many, and sold them at a high price. 

 To this circumstance we are indebted for this gem, and no 

 thanks to the sordid inclination of a despot. 



Although this plant is found to be hardy in Europe, it 

 requires protection in this country, and is consequently 

 treated as a pot plant. There is no doubt that this shrub, 

 when well established in the open ground, if laid down in 

 November, and covered with mats until April, and then 



