thickets. The flowers are smaller than those of the northern Witch 
Hazel and differ from them in the red color of the inner surface of the 
calyx. This interesting plant was introduced into cultivation by the 
Arnold Arboretum where it is well estabUshed and where it flowers 
late in December or in January. 
The next of these Witch Hazels to bloom are natives of Japan, 
Hamamelis japonica and its variety arborea. They are tall shrubs 
with slender spreading branches, and the flowers are produced in the 
Arboretum in great quantities, usually opening there late in January 
and remaining in good condition for nearly two months. The flowers 
are smaller than those of our native Witch Hazel, but those of the 
variety arborea are conspicuous from the dark red color of the inner 
surface of the calyx. These plants can be occasionally found in com- 
mercial nurseries, but they are still unfortunately little known in 
American gardens. 
Even less well known is the handsomest of all the Witch Hazels. 
This is Hamamelis mollis and is a native of western China, and also 
blooms in the Arboretum in January and February. This is one of 
the handsomest shrubs of recent introduction into American gardens. 
It is a tall, broad, hardy plant of rapid growth, with large nearly 
circular leaves which are of a cheerful lively green color on the upper 
surface and on the lower surface are covered with a thick coat of pale 
hairs. Late in October they turn to a beautiful clear yellow color and 
do not in ordinary seasons entirely disappear until after the middle of 
November. The flowers are bright canary yellow and are larger and 
handsomer than those of any other Witch Hazel. This shrub has not 
yet produced seeds in the Arboretum, but it can be easily propagated 
by grafting on the native Witch Hazel, and it should not be long before 
every one who has a winter garden, or a garden which can be seen from 
the windows of a winter home, should be able to enjoy this remarkable 
shrub. C. S. Sargent. 
Intensive Gardening 
I suppose no one ever held one of these meetings without some 
sort of regret, and to-day particularly, I feel great hesitancy in letting 
you even walk into the garden and see its emptiness, for it has never 
been an autumn garden. In fact, even at its best it contains no rare 
or interesting plants, lovely vistas or surprises — though it gives us 
many happy hours. Please be lenient in judging it, for this is its 
first year in the present form, and also because except for cutting and 
edging the grass, it is entirely dependent on our two pair of hands for 
its care. 
