JANUARY 161 



goniums, red or pink) arranged in saucers full of moss 

 and in between these narrow, pointed glasses with 

 branches of pink Begonias. A little winter-flowering 

 Begonia, called Gloire de Lorraine, has lately come into 

 fashion. What a term for a flower ! But it is true, and 

 plants of this Begonia make a charming table decoration 

 at a time of year when flowers are scarce. They look best 

 growing in pots. Koman hyacinths in glasses could be 

 placed between, and pink shades used for the candles ; or, 

 for a small table, one plant in the middle would be enough. 

 The colour, the growth, the shape of the leaves, all make 

 it charming. I do not yet know if it is difficult to grow > 

 as I have only lately bought a plant. 



I did not see it in Ireland, but a shrub that should 

 never be omitted from any garden, small or large, is 

 Lonicera fragrantissima. It begins to flower in January, 

 and continues through February and March. Like every 

 flower or shrub I know, a little care such as pruning 

 and mulching improves its flowering powers. I had it 

 here in a neglected state in a shrubbery for years. I only 

 knew its pretty green leaves, and never guessed what it 

 was or its early-flowering qualities. But my gardening 

 ignorance in those days was supreme. 



In spite of the time of year I had pleasant days 

 in Dublin at the College Botanical Garden and also 

 at Glasnevin, the ' Kew of Dublin.' The little Irises 

 Stylosa alba and speciosa were flowering well. They 

 must be starved ; for if their foliage is good, it means no 

 flowers. Many kinds of Hellebores were coming into 

 bloom, some of which I had never seen before. The 

 warm damp winters are very favourable to January- 

 flowering plants, and we can scarcely expect to copy 

 them in Surrey. The rather rare and interesting Daphne 

 blagayana was growing to a great size, and covered with 

 flowers, at Glasnevin. Mr. Eobinson describes it as a 



M 



