The Witch Hazels 



however, they open at the top and the seeds fall out, but 

 germination, like development, is a slow process with 

 them. It is said that the seeds of the Virginian species 

 are edible. Of course, all three species have flowers of 

 the above type. 



Another variety, H. j. Zuccariniana, has the petals 

 a pale lemon -yellow colour instead of a rich gold, 

 but indeed the seeds of neither of these varieties breed 

 true, and the true H. japonica, or either of its varieties, 

 may appear among any sowing. 



The flowers of H. japonica are not quite so large or 

 so vivid, and not nearly so highly scented as those of 

 H. mollis, and the Chinese shrub is always gay with its 

 blossoms at least a fortnight before the Japanese species 

 comes to its own. 



The shrubs belong to the small family Hamamelidecz. 



Soil and Cultivation. All the Witch Hazels are 

 hardy in this country, and are little trouble to cultivate 

 in good, light, loamy soil. They are propagated either 

 by seeds or layers. Old and dead wood should be cut 

 out after flowering. 



253 



