62 ARISTOCRATS OF THE GARDEN 



supply during the time of flowering that accounts for 

 the phenomenally long racemes. Did we in New 

 England attempt to cultivate this plant in the Jap- 

 anese manner I fear King Frost would play sad 

 havoc and the results would be less satisfactory than 

 those we at present achieve. But farther south the 

 plan would doubtless succeed, and even in the north 

 some simple means of providing the plants with an 

 abundant water supply as the flower buds expand 

 could be found. 



The Japanese Wistaria was introduced into Europe 

 about 1870-2, but seeds were received in this country 

 by Samuel Parsons of Flushing, Long Island, in March, 

 1862, from Dr. George R. Hall. It is hardier than its 

 more widely known Chinese relative and therefore 

 deserves to be more generally cultivated in the north. 

 The flowers are slightly smaller and open rather later 

 but are fragrant and equally beautiful. The white, 

 purple, and pinkish forms are equally hardy and may be 

 grown in the manner as the Chinese species usually 

 is or on a trellis. There is also a form with ugly 

 double purple flowers. This was first cultivated in 

 this country in the garden of Francis Parkman, the 

 historian, at Jamaica Plain, Mass., in 1862, having 

 been received from Japan through Mr. F. Gordon 

 Dexter. 



