Struts anti limbers. 231 



among the best. The Chinese V. plicatum is 

 the finest of all, surpassing the common variety 

 in habit, foliage, and flowers, and it is not un- 

 justly considered one of the most valuable orna- 

 mental shrubs. There are likewise very many 

 varieties of the syringa, or mock-orange, to select 

 frpm ; some earlier and later, some with larger 

 and smaller flowers, some odorless and some 

 intensely perfumed. Doubtless the familiar gar- 

 land syringa (Pkiladelpkicus coronartus), one 

 of the earliest to appear, is as satisfactory as any 

 of the strongly scented kinds. P. Gordontanus, 

 a late bloomer and vigorous grower, is more 

 delicately perfumed. The golden-leaved syringa 

 (P. folits aureis) should be in every choice col- 

 lection of shrubs ; its shape is easily maintained, 

 and its vivid golden foliage is valuable for en- 

 livening the shrubbery or contrasting with pur- 

 ple-leaved subjects. 



Some like the odor of the elder- flower ; many 

 do not share the preference shown for it by 

 the flies. In any event, the variegated-leaved 

 variety (Sambucus variegata), its foliage mot- 

 tled with white and yellow, is one of the best 

 variegated-leaved shrubs. The elder's cymes, 

 produced so profusely, are always beautiful. 

 The golden-leaved variety has vivid yellow foli- 

 age, but, somehow, appears to have a sickly 



