232 



SHRUBBERIES AND FLOWER-GARDENS. 



[C HAP. 



SHRUBS. 



320. Shrubs are propagated in jast the same way that fruit- 

 trees are, by cuttings, by slips, by layers, by grafting and budding 

 in some instances, and, in every instance, they may be propagated 

 by seed, and that, too, without the same inconvenience that occurs 

 in the case of fruit-trees ; because 1 know no instance of a shrub 

 the seed of which will not bear a flower like that of the parent 

 tree, though I am not sure that this is the case in every instance. 

 As often as they can be raised from seed, that is the best, though 

 in some instances the slowest way. Cuttings and layers, and the 

 other methods of grafting and budding, do not produce a plant so 

 vigorous and so healthy as if raised from seed ; and, though a 

 great number of shrubs are propagated from suckers, these suckers 

 have all the disadvantages which were mentioned when speaking 

 of the propagation of fruit-trees. They send out suckers again, 

 and, in a few years, if left alone, fill the whole ground with them. 

 This is very conspicuous in the case of the lilac, which is always 

 raised from suckers, but which may easily be raised from seed. I 

 now proceed to give a list of the shrubs in alphabetical order, 

 with a short description attached to each. 



LIST OF SHRUBS. 



52 1 . AC ACIA, the ROSE.— Latin, Rohinia Hispida. A shi ub 

 from North America, where it grows to fifteen or tw enty feet high ; 

 and, in June, and sometimes again in July and August, blows a rose- 

 coloured pea-blossom flower hanging like bunches of grapes. The 

 leaves are larger and more rounded than those of the common aca- 

 cia, or locust, but otherwise are just like them. The branches are co- 

 vered with little prickles, when of the first and second year : after- 

 wards these fall ofl", but this quality has given the species its name 

 of hispida, which means hairy. It is not altogether elegant in its 

 form, but the beauty of its young blanches, its luxuriant leaves, 

 and, above all, its delicate and abundant flowers, make it one of 

 the most desirable and esteemed shrubs either for the shrubbery, 

 border, or parterre ; and the facility of procuring and cultivating 



