384 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



than the common Thorn. Praecox (will the reader please think 

 of the word "precocious" as a help to remembering this name?) 

 is merely an early flowering form of the common Thorn. Some 

 readers will be familiar with the story of how Joseph of Arima- 

 thea visited England with the Holy Grail, and founded the first 

 Christian church built in this country at Glastonbury, in that 

 county of pastures and cider orchards, Somersetshire. Joseph is 

 said to have thrust his staff into the ground; it rooted, and "ever 

 afterwards " the tree blossomed on old Christmas Eve. As a 

 matter of fact the Glastonbury Thorn often flowers in autumn. 



We have already referred to the Japanese Quince, Cydonia (or 

 Pyrus) Japonica, as a winter bloomer, mentioning it in connection 

 with wall plants. It may be grown in the open if desired. This 

 shrub has become so popular, partly on account of its early flower- 

 ing and partly because of its large and brilliant blossoms, that 

 florists have given attention to it, and several varieties, differing 

 in the colours of their flowers, are procurable. It does not gener- 

 ally flower until late in winter, but a good deal depends upon 

 the weather. 



A shrub that may be grown in a sheltered part of the open 

 shrubbery, but is perhaps better on or near a wall, is Chimonan- 

 thus fragrans. It is not a popular plant, possibly because there is 

 nothing showy about it, but the flowers have a distinct and very 

 powerful fragrance. It is worth growing. 



The winter Jasmine, which was mentioned under wall plants, 

 takes rank as a shrub, and may be grown against a pole in the 

 shrubbery. It is, of course, a pronounced winter bloomer, and 

 a first-class town plant. 



Daphne Mezereum is a delightful winter and early spring 

 shrub. It is of dwarf, upright, neat habit, and consequently does 

 not take up a great deal of room. It has small, pinkish, very 

 sweet flowers. The plant is not very particular as to soil, and 

 does well in suburban gardens. 



