Window and Balcony Gardening. 25 



perish, aiid often from causes little anticipated. Our 

 old favourite, Pyraeantha^ Mespilus pymcantha, needs 

 no commendation ; but M. crenata, and a few other 

 varieties, are much prettier for fruit and foliage, and 

 not generally so well-known as the other. 



What is commonly called Pyrus (Cydonia) Japo- 

 n-ica, of which there are several varieties, red, pink 

 and white, are lovely late in winter or early spring, 

 when well grown ; and I believe a ripe fruit is useful 

 in flavouring an apple-pie. 



The shrub from which the public fancy that all 

 which they call Tea is produced is of the Camellia 

 family ; and though not so ornamental as ordinary 

 camellias, is worthy of culture, from its peculiar 

 interest. Assam, and other parts of northern Asia, 

 are, I believe, the only countries in which we know 

 of the edible Tea shrub being found in a wild state, 

 and whether it is indigenous there will perhaps long 

 remain mysterious. At least six species of Thea are 

 grown in Upper India, China and Japan, all of 

 which are evergreens, with white or rose-coloured 

 flower ; but only one or two of these produce the 

 infusion of which we drink. There are three well- 

 known varieties which produce what we call Tea : 

 T. Assdmica, T. Bohea and T. viridis ; many botanists 

 considering the two latter but varieties of T. Assamica, 

 to which they give the honour of being the parent. 

 Japanese tradition ascribes the introduction of the Tea 

 plant into that country from China by a Bhuddist 

 priest in the sixth century. Lately happening to be 



