ABOUT FBTrrrS, FLOWERS AND FAR3IING. 147 



the smell of the cucumber, and are sometimes used in spring 

 to flavor salads. It grows freely, even under the shade of 

 trees, which, in all low shrubs, is a valuable quality. There 

 is also a large flowered inodorous variety. The popular 

 name, Syringa, is the botanical name of the lilac ; but 

 these plants are not in the remotest degree related to each 

 other. 



Lilac. — ^This well-known and Civorite little tree requires 

 only to be mentioned. There is a white variety, and deli- 

 cately-leaved variety called the Persian. 



SxowBALL ( Vibttmum opulus), everywhere known, and 

 every\H'here a favorite ; and scarcely less so is the 



Waxberky, or Snowberry, {Symphora racemosa), intro- 

 duced by Lewis and Clark to the public attention, and first 

 raised from seed by McMahan, a gardener of some note. 

 When its fruit is grown, it has a beautiful appearance. 



Tamarisk {Tamarix gcdlica)^ a sub-evergreen of very 

 beautiful feathery foliage, of rapid growth, and highly orna- 

 mental in a shrubbery. It will grow in very poor soil. 



Shepardia, or Buffalo Berry, from the Rocky Mountains, 

 a low tree, with small silvery leaves, a currant-like friut, 

 which is edible. This is worthy of cultivation. It is dioe- 

 cious, and the male and female trees must therefore be 

 planted in proximity. 



Dwarf Almond {Amygdalus nand)^ but now called by 

 botanists Cerasus or Prunus japonica. This favorite shrub 

 is found in all gardens and yards. The profusion of its 

 blossoms and the delicacy of their color make it, during the 

 short time of its inflorescence, deservedly a favorite. As it 

 flowers before its leaves put forth, it requires a green back- 

 ground to produce its full effect. It should therefore be 

 planted against evergreens. 



Wood Hoxetsucklk {Azalea). — ^This is a native of North 

 America, and is perfectly hardy. It flourishes best in a half 

 shade, and flowers fi-eely. There have been a vast number 

 of varieties originated from crossing the species ; and the 



