ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 



457 



United States, is the most elegant of all the hardy Yuccas, and, 

 if only one kind be grown, this is the one that should be 

 selected. It is thoroughly hardy, and its long, flat, glossy 

 green leaves droop gracefully, whilst its handsome flower-spikes 

 are borne on medium-sized plants. 



Yuccas may be increased by root-cuttings. Cut the thick 

 fleshy roots into pieces, plant in sandy soil, and place in 

 gentle heat. The soil must be kept moist, but not too 

 wet, or the roots will rot. When the young plants have made a 

 few leaves, they should be potted into small pots, later on 

 removed to cooler quarters, and when large enough planted 

 outside. The caulescent kinds may be propagated by division 

 of the stems, each piece having an eye, and treated as recom- 

 mended above. Seed rarely comes to perfection in this country, 

 but if imported seed is sown in light soil in boxes or pans, and 

 stood in a genial heat, it will germinate freely. 



Berry = Bearing Trees and Shrubs. 



The trees and shrubs that can be brought under this 

 heading are numerous, but it is proposed to only mention 

 those specially valuable for eff"ect. It is difficult to determine 

 why the cultivation of berry-bearing subjects is so much 

 neglected in gardens and parks, as they are ornamental and 

 inexpensive, and do not require special culture. Not only are 

 they prized for their berries in autumn and winter, but some 

 are attractive in spring, when their branches are wreathed in 

 flowers of rich and varied colours, thus revealing two seasons 

 ■of beauty. It is, however, in the autumn, when the majority 

 of the other occupants of the shrubbery have lost their beauty, 

 that the berry-bearing shrubs arrest attention. There is consider- 

 able variety, too, in both the size and the form of the berries, 

 and the colours comprise light yellow and deep orange, white, 

 brown, black, purple, many shades of pink and rose through 

 reds to deep crimson. 



In addition to the qualities above mentioned, some of the 

 berry-bearers are attractive by reason of their handsome ever- 

 green foliage, which gives them additional beauty. 



Evergreen. — In this section the following are reliable : The 

 Skimmias are useful plants of compact growth, with thick 

 deep green leaves. They are perfectly hardy, easily accom- 

 modated, and very beautiful in spring, when bearing terminal 

 panicles of deliciously-scented white flowers. They are grand 

 pot shrubs, and well suited for planting out in beds in cool 

 glass structures. The best three sorts are S. J^oremani, 



