Chap. XIX. 



THE KWEI-WHA. 



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dark green, shining, and evergreen ; and its flowers 

 are of a deep clear red, and very large. Each flower 

 measures from three to four inches in diameter. It is 

 said to be a Japanese species. Specimens of all these 

 fine plants are now to be found in English gardens. 



Passing over a little wooden bridge, I entered the 

 third compartment of the nursery, which contained a 

 collection of the common shrubs of the country. 

 Along the banks of a ditch, through which the tide 

 ebbs and flows, there is a row of the Olea fragrans. 

 This is the famous Kwei-wha of the Chinese, and one 

 of their most favourite flowers. It forms a good-sized 

 bush, about as large as a lilac, and flowers in the 

 autumn. There are three or four varieties, the main 

 difference between them consisting in the colour of 

 their blossoms. Those kinds which produce brownish- 

 yellow flowers are the finest and are most highly 

 esteemed by the natives. The bushes are seen grow- 

 ing near all the villages in the north-eastern provinces 

 of the empire, and are plentiful in gardens and nurse- 

 ries. When they are in flower in the autumnal months, 

 the air in their vicinity is literally loaded with the 

 most delicious perfume. One tree is enough to scent 

 a whole garden. 



In England we know nothing of the beauty of this 

 charming plant. But there is no other amongst all 

 the beautiful productions of the East which more 

 deserves our care, or that would more richly reward 

 it. And I am quite sure that English gardeners have 

 only to take the subject in hand to ensure the most 

 complete success. Look at Camellias, Azaleas, Gar- 



