BROOM. 153 



appeared at the time, it now shines more 

 ornamentally in the gardens of this country 

 than the brightest gem of the mines of the 

 New World could have done in the crown. 



In favourable situations, the Spanish broom 

 approaches nearer to the size of a tree than 

 an humble shrub ; and as it continues in 

 blossom from July to October, it is a great 

 enlivener to Nature's universal green robe, 

 which at that season is but slightly spangled 

 with gay colours; therefore it may with great 

 advantage be planted so as to peep over the 

 sombre evergreens, like the rays of the sun 

 emerging from dense clouds. The common 

 broom, Spartium scoparium, may as judiciously 

 be placed at the foot of towering trees, where 

 it will shine as gay in the gloom as a gipsey's 

 fire in a forest. 



The broom should also be planted in the 

 corners of fields, and in those hedgerows 

 which are seen from the shrubbery or the 

 dwelling; particularly where the view is caught 

 beneath or through the branches of trees, for 

 then the yellow field is seen as gaily inter- 

 changed with a variety that is as rich and as 

 pleasing as the tiara of emeralds and gold. 



" Where the fond eye in sweet distraction strays, 

 Most pleased when most it knows not where to gaze !" 



