LILAC. 49 



common lilac, which lengthens the season of 

 these flowers very considerably. The Scotch 

 lilac is succeeded by the Persian lilac, which 

 continues in blossom until the end of June, 

 thus decorating our plantations from eight to 

 ten weeks with the most agreeable attire. 



During the last year we enjoyed the forced 

 lilacs from the beginning of February until 

 those of the open garden appeared, which 

 pleasure was lengthened by our meeting with 

 them in full perfection at Paris in the months 

 of August and September, where 



Le Ma's qui pend, avec grace, 

 Offre ses bouquets ingenus, 



at a season we have not yet met with them 

 in this country, although we have equal means 

 with the French of retarding the time of their 

 flowering. 



The art of retarding the ripening of fruits, 

 and the flowering of plants, is scarcely less 

 desirable than that of forcing them. We have, 

 therefore, dwelt on it at considerable length 

 in the third edition of the Pomarium Britan- 

 nicum, for by this means we join, as it were, 

 the two ends of the year. 



The common lilac grows to the height of 

 eighteen or twenty feet, when planted in a 

 rich light soil ; therefore it should hold a 



VOL. II. E 



