148 PLAIN AND PLEASANT TALK 



nurseries will supply almost every shade of color from white 

 to brilliant flame color. 



The A. ponticaj is also hardy ; but the Chinese species 

 require a greenhouse. This is one of the most magnificent 

 shrubs that can be cultivated, and deserves the special atten- 

 tion of those who wish to form even a moderately good 

 shrubbery. 



The Berberry {Herberts vulgaris) is quite beautiful when 

 in fruit. It is easily propagated, grows in any soil, requires 

 little pruning, and is very good for hedges. 



Globe Flower {Corchorus japonica). — A very pretty 

 shrub with double yellow flowers, which arc in abundance 

 early in the summer, and also, but sparingly, shown through- 

 out the season. 



" By some mistake Kerr ia japonica was at first supposed 

 to belong to Corchorus, a genus of Tiliaceae, and of course 

 nearly allied to the lime-tree ; to which it bears no resem- 

 blance, though it is still called Corchorus japonica in the 

 nurseries. It is also singular, that though the double-flow- 

 ered variety was introduced into England in IVOO, the spe- 

 cies was not introduced till 1835. It is a delicate little 

 shrub, too slender to support itself in the open air ; but 

 when trained against a wall, flowering in great profusion. 

 It should be grown in a light, rich soil, and it is propagated 

 by cuttings." — Companion to the Flower Garden. 



Laburnum {Cytisus laburnum). — ^This beautiful plant 

 forms a small tree, which, in May, is covered with pendant 

 yellow blossoms. Blooming at the same time with the lilac, 

 the two planted together have an extremely beautiful effect. 

 It is hardy, grows in any soil, and is propagated easily by 

 seed. 



The Scotch Laburnum ((7. alpinus), is much more beau- 

 tiful than the common kind, " the flowers and leaves being 

 larger and the flower more frequently fragrant. They are 

 also produced much later in the season, not coming into 

 flower till the others are quite over." 



