DECIDUOUS FLOWERING SHRUBS 33 
or biennial top dressing of well-rotted stable manure. 
The flowers are produced in axillary racemes. 
They are admirably adapted for arranging in moderate 
sized groups on the lawn and in prominent positions in 
the shrubbery, but when arranged in the latter they 
must not be allowed to be overgrown by other shrubs. 
S. Obvassia and 8S. serrulatum are the most beautiful of 
the species; they both bloom in spring and have white 
flowers. 
Syrincas or Litacs.—The lilacs constitute one of 
the most valuable of the several groups of hardy 
shrubs grown for their flowers and should be largely 
planted and given the small amount of attention neces- 
sary to have them in their highest state of development. 
They will thrive in any garden soil and they are at 
home in both town and country gardens, but because of 
their accommodating character they should not be sub- 
jected to systematic neglect as is so frequently the case. 
The chief pcint in their cultivation is to keep them 
free from suckers which are annually produced in large 
numbers, and if allowed to grow unchecked they push 
up into the head and so crowd the growths as to render 
a satisfactory display of bloom impossible. When the 
suckers are kept down, and this can be readily done 
with the hoe when a few inches high, they will 
form handsome bushes that will produce finely devel- 
oped thyrses of flowers in great prodigality. If the 
plants have been grafted, the suckers from the stock 
will, in the course of a few years, wholly usurp the 
place of the variety planted. A moderate thinning by the 
removal of the weakly shoots will occasionally be bene- 
ficial, but when the suckers are kept under very little 
pruning will be necessary or desirable. They may be 
increased by cutting, suckers and graftings, but the most 
simple course of procedure is increase by suckers. 
When it is desired to increase the stock the suckers 
c 
