42 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



The autumn is the best time for laying 

 down the branches, which will be well-rooted, 

 and ready to transplant by the following 

 autumn. 



Although the blossoms are the most hardy 

 of any plant we introduce into the shrubbery, 

 yet the laurestine is often injured by the 

 severity of the weather, particularly when it 

 is trained up with a naked stem ; for as the 

 sap must naturally rise when the tree is in 

 the active state of forming its flowers and 

 seed, it is naturally more susceptible of the 

 frost, and those shrubs of this kind, which 

 have their principal stem protected by 

 branches and leaves, suffer less; and even 

 when the great severity of the winter has 

 killed the branches, we often find vigorous 

 shoots sent forth from the stem when the old 

 wood has been removed. 



The berries of the laurestine arevery hot, 

 and inflame the fauces violently ; yet we find 

 the starlings frequent this shrub, and devour 

 the berries with as much aviditv as the black- 

 bird and thrush do those of the mezereon, 

 which are of a similar nature. 



