JUNE 175 



Put forth thy leaf, thou lofty plane, 



East winds and cold are safely gone, 

 With radiant suns and gentle rain 



The summer comes serenely on. 

 December days were dark and chill, 



The winds of March were wild and drear ; 

 Aye nearing, aye receding still, 



Spring never would, we thought, be here.' 



Thus much memory afloat ; were I ashore and within 

 reach of reference there were less risk of misquotation. 



Talking of gorse, Bentham, most precise of botanical 

 writers, observes that it is 'rare in the Highlands/ 

 This is scarcely correct; for in some places, notably 

 along the Tay, it abounds, and so right away to John o' 

 Groats and Cape Wrath. But it is true that over large 

 districts in the north its place is taken by the broom, 

 forerunner of the rose as the royal badge of England. 

 Its blossom is more fleeting than the gorse, but it is 

 even more profuse while it lasts. 



Gardeners and garden lovers seem slow to realise the 

 singular beauty of a variety of the common broom 

 which has lately come into the market under the name 

 Cytism scoparius Andrewsii. In this lovely shrub the 

 standards, or upright petals, are dyed a deep crimson 

 or maroon, contrasting vividly with the rest of the 

 golden corolla. It is as easily grown and as hardy 

 as the common type, and may also be forced into 

 bloom a couple of months before it is due to flower in 

 the open. It makes a brave show in the conservatory, 

 and so little are people acquainted with it that visitors 

 almost invariably ask, * What is that beautiful exotic ? ' 



