98 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 
and successful expedition on behalf of the Royal Horti- 
cultural Society, in the years 1543 to 1846. It is a hardy 
deciduous shrub—so hardy, that although we have had 
some half-dozen terrible winters since it became established 
in the country, we have never heard of an instance of its 
being destroyed or even seriously injured by severe frost. 
Accustomed as we are to “ floral surprises ”—which do not: 
cease to “ surprise” even when one gets used to them—we 
think we were never more surprised than in the month 
of March, 1880, when on the first look round after about 
three months of the most destructive and horrible frost 
and fog, we found on the wall beside the garden door a 
delicate stippling of the yellow flowers, with an under- 
colour of the grass-green branches of this storm-defying 
and most cheerful jasmine. It was like life starting from 
the grave, and at all events it was an assurance that the 
grave had not closed over all things, as it seemed likely to 
do, when the twelve days’ fog of the preceding February 
had carried both heart-break and sorrow into innumerable 
homes where the winter had begun with mirth and gladness. 
Such a plant is a pearl of great price, although it may be 
bought with a shilling, and will grow anywhere, even in 
the stuff the builders call “dirt.” As any soil will suit 
this plant, so will any aspect. But a sheltered corner, and 
if possible a dry, warm, sandy soil, should be chosen for it, 
in order to secure its flowers in plenty in the very depth of 
winter. Then you have but to nail it carefully to the wall 
or fence, and prune it just enough to keep it tidy. To 
employ the knife in any way, with a view to promote the 
production of flowers, will prove a grave mistake. Let 
your tree grow in its own way, and it will flower in its own 
way, and that will be the best way. But you may cut a 
