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growth ; in their hardinefs to endure the extremities of 

 heat, cold, drought and moifture; in their making no 

 litter, during the fpring or fummer, by the fall of the 

 bloffom; and in the ftrength of their branches, to refift, 

 unhurt, the violence of tempefts. 



They fay, that the perfection of flirubs conlifts not 

 only in moft of the above mentioned particulars, but alfo 

 in the beauty, durability, or long fucceffion of their 

 bloffom ; and in their fair appearance before the bloom, 

 and after it is gone. 



« We are fenfible," fay they, " that no plant is pof- 

 " feffed of all good qualities ; but choofe fuch as have 

 " the feweft faults; and avoid all the exotics, that vege- 

 " tate with difficulty in our climate; for though they 

 " may be rare, they cannot be beautiful, being always 

 " in a fickly ftate: have, if you pleafe, hot-houfes and 

 " cool-houfes, for plants of every region, to fatisfy the 

 " curiofity of botanifts; but they are mere infirmaries: 

 " the plants which they contain, are valetudinarians, di- 



" vefted 



