White Flowers 173 



liant red in early autumn, and the foliage becomes a rich old rose hue. 

 .Notwithstanding these features the bush itself is not handsome, because 

 of its long naked straggling branches, and should be planted among 

 other shrubbery such as Spireas, Flowering Almond or Stephenandra 

 flexuosa which are of similar height. It is hard to transplant, unless 

 taken young, though it can be propagated by bending down its branches, 

 lagging securely; these take root easily and can be severed; hence its 

 j)opular name. Give a rich moist soil and shade. 



ITEA VIRGINICA. 5-8 ft. Flowers in terminal clusters; leaves turn 

 in midsummer from green to scarlet crimson and retain the shade until 

 autumn. It should have a prominent place among white summer 

 perennials. Give a sheltered position and protection in winter, for some 

 report that it is not quite hardy. 



LABRADOR TEA (Ledum latifolium). 2-4 ft. A low evergreen shrub 

 with glossy elliptical leaves revolute at the edges, covered on the under 

 side with a soft cottony lining which becomes rusty. Flowers, in large 

 terminal clusters, are very handsome; the whole plant has a strong 

 aromatic fragrance. This shrub should be more often cultivated. 

 Sparingly found in New England. 



LOCUST-TREE, FALSE ACACIA (Robinia pseudacacia) . 10-30 ft. One 

 of our most ornamental trees with pinnate leaves and great drooping 

 clusters of fragrant white flowers. If given severe pruning for several 

 years, while still a low shrub, it will induce a thicker growth, and pre- 

 vent it running up to a tall tree with naked trunk and bare lower 

 branches. It has a bad habit of spreading from the root and may 

 easily become a pest. It is used also as a stock upon which may be 

 grafted the Rose Acacia (Robinia hispida) a very beautiful rose-colored 

 variety of low growth. 



MOUNTAIN ASH, European (Sorbus Americana). 30 ft. Pinnate 

 leaves, white flowers followed by clusters of handsome red berries. 

 Very hardy. 



ROSES, GENERAL CULTURE OF. Roses should be given a well-drained, 

 warm, sunny location protected from winds. The bed should be dug 

 out from two to three feet, and if the soil is wet, should have at least six 

 inches of loose stones or broken brick at the bottom for drainage. Fill 

 the beds to the depth of a foot with well-rotted coarse dressing, cow 

 manure and grass sods turned upside down; over this should be several 

 inches of rich light loam. Upon this loam set the roses, carefully spread- 

 ing out the roots, and then fill the beds to within two inches of the top 



