XXV. LEGUMINA‘CEE: CY’TISUS. Q17 
according to which of these may have been chosen as the stock) with 
yellow flowers, and of the purple laburnum. This was soon observed 
both in France and England. (See Gard. Mag., vol. xii. p. 225., 
vol. xv. p.122.; and Ard. Brit., 1st edit., p. 590.) It is a very vi- 
gorous, and somewhat erect and fastigiate, growing variety, having 
produced shoots from 6 ft. to 9 ft. long in one season ; but, though it 
has been highly spoken of by some cultivators, in point of beauty, it 
cannot be recommended. 
¥ C. (L.) a. 4 frdégrans Hort.— Blossoms fragrant. There are plants 
in the Hackney Arboretum. 
Miller recognised C. Labirnum and C. alpinus as species; but Linneus 
did not. Whether they are species or varieties, they are certainly very dis- 
tinct ; as much so, perhaps, as the Quércus Robur pedunculatum, and Q. R. 
sessilifiorum, and like these two oaks they come true from seed. Both sorts, 
being highly ornamental, have been extensively propagated and cultivated in 
British gardens and plantations. There are trees at Syon of C. alpinus above 
40 ft. high, and some at Alnwick Castle with trunks 3 ft. in diameter. The 
heart-wood of the laburnum is of a dark colour; and, though of rather a 
coarse grain, it is very hard and durable: it will take a polish, and may be 
made to resemble ebony. A cubic foot weighs 52 |b. 11 oz. in a dried state. 
The colour and grain of the heart-wood vary much, according to the soil, and 
the age of the tree. It is darkest in the C. Labirnum, when grown on poor 
calcareous soil; and lightest in the C. (Z.) alpinus, when grown in deep rich 
soil: in which last case its colour is a sort of greenish black. It is in much 
demand among turners and cabinet-makers. The ordinary use of the wood in 
the North of Scotland, is to form alternate staves with the wood of the holly, 
or the spindle tree, in making small noggins, or bickers ; but it is also used 
for the bowls of punch-ladles ; for flutes, and other musical instruments. 
Hares and rabbits being remarkably fond of the bark of the laburnum, it has 
been suggested to sow laburnum seeds, in order to produce an undergrowth in 
plantations liable to be infested with these animals; for, though the plants are 
eaten to the ground every winter, yet they will spring up again the next season, 
and thus yield a regular supply of winter’s food for these kinds of game. As 
an ornamental tree, the laburnum has few rivals. The shape of the head is 
irregular and picturesque; its foliage is of a smooth, shining, and beautiful 
green ; and, what is a great recommendation to every ornamental plant, it is 
not liable to be preyed on by insects. Though the laburnum will grow in a 
very indifferent soil, it requires a deep fertile sandy loam to attain a large size. 
In regard to situation, as the tree puts out few horizontal roots, and has rather 
a spreading head, when it grows rapidly it is apt to be blown aside by high 
winds ; but, forthe same reason, it is less injurious to plants growing near it, 
than some other ornamental trees. For producing timber, it should be placed 
in masses in a sheltered situation, or in a plantation among other trees, so as 
to be drawn up with a clear straight stem; and when so circumstanced, in 
good soil, C. (L.) alpinus will grow to the height of from 35 ft. to 45 ft. Both 
C. Labarnum and C. (Z.) alpinus are invariably raised from seed, and the 
pendulous and other varieties are propagated by grafting or budding on either 
of the common sorts. The seeds are fit to gather in October ; and they may 
be kept in the pod, in a dry airy loft, till the March following, when they 
should be sown in beds of light soil, at about an inch apart every way, and 
covered about half an inch or three quarters of an inch thick. Half the plants 
which come up will be fit for transplanting into nursery lines in the November 
following. 
&% 4. C, We.peniz Vis. Welden’s Cytisus. 
ddentification. Visiani Pl. Dalm. Ex. Bot. Zeit., Jan. 1830., p. 52.3; Don’s Mill., 2. p. 155.; Hort. 
Fl. Austr., 2. p. 339. ; Bot. Reg., 1839, Month. Reg., No. 122. 
Engraving. Our fig. 343. from a drawing kindly sent us by the late Baron Jacquin. 
Spec. Char.,§c. Erect. Leaves ternate, petiolate ; leaflets elliptic, entire, cu- 
