Explanatory. 35 



under a spring sun, and they cannot be cut off" by 

 harsh winds as when exposed in the open garden. 

 What has already been stated is, I hope, sufficient 

 to hint to everybody the kind of place that may be 

 used for their culture. Wild and semi-wild places, 

 rough banks in or near the pleasure-ground or 

 flower-garden, such spots as perhaps at present 

 contain nothing but weeds, or any naturally rough 

 or unused spot about a garden — such are the places 

 I recommend. It is true there are thousands of 

 places without these, and where every inch of the 

 lawn must be mown ; but even on such the 

 Snowdrop may be enjoyed in early spring, for its 

 leaves die down, or at all events ripen sufficiently 

 before there is any occasion to mow the grass. 



I have spoken of the Buttercups ; let us next see 

 what may be done with the order to which they be- 

 long. It embraces many subjects widely diverse in 

 aspect from these burnished ornaments of northern 

 meadows and mountains. The first thing I should 

 take from it to perennially embellish the wild wood is 

 the sweet-scented Virgin's Bower (Clematis Flam- 

 mula), a native of the south of Europe, but as hardy 

 and free in all parts of Britain as the common Haw- 

 thorn. And as the Hawthorn sweetens the breath 

 of early summer, so will this add fragrance to the 



