of a race of hybrids, F. Fortunei being the other parent, known as 
F. intermedia , among which are some exceedingly valuable garden 
plants. One of these hybrids recently described as F. intermedia var. 
primulina originated in the Arboretum a few years ago. It has pale 
primrose-colored flowers which are produced in crowded clusters. This 
form is not yet much known in cultivation but it promises to be of 
exceptional value. 
The Buffalo Berry ( Shepherdia argentea ) is in flower in the Oleaster 
Group on the left-hand side of Bussey Hill Road just above the Lilacs. 
The Buffalo Berry is a shrub or small tree, with handsome silvery 
leaves, minute clustered axillary flowers and small crimson or yellow 
subacid fruits which ripen early in the autumn. It is a common inhabi- 
tant of the borders of streams from Saskatchewan to the Rocky Moun- 
tains as far south as New Mexico. It is a valuable ornamental plant 
for the dry interior parts of the continent, and in the west much at- 
tention has, in recent years, been paid to it as a fruit plant. 
The Spice Bush ( Benzoin aestivate ) is in full bloom on the right-hand 
side of the Bussey Hill Road opposite the end of the Lilac Group where 
there are large masses of this shrub. It is a native of the eastern 
United States and an inhabitant of the borders of swamps where it 
sometimes grows tp the height of ten or fifteen feet. The flowers are 
small, bright yellow, and the male and female flowers are produced on 
different individuals, so that only some of the plants bear the small 
bright scarlet shining fruits which are so attractive late in the season in 
contrast with the bright yellow autumnal foliage. The leaves are fra- 
grant like those of its relative the Sassafras, and are uninjured by in- 
sects. This is one of the common shrubs which should be better known 
by gardeners. Next to the Spice Bush Group the Leatherwood ( Dirca 
palustris) is covered with its bright yellow flowers which appear before 
the leaves. This beautiful and interesting plant owes its common name 
to the toughness of the bark of the branches. Rarely cultivated, it 
deserves a conspicuous position in all collections of hardy shrubs. 
On the right-hand side of Azalea Path the Japanese Box ( Buxus 
japonica) is already in flower. This is a shrub of rather open habit 
with small yellow-green leaves, and the only really hardy Box which has 
been tried in the Arboretum. It is therefore of special interest to 
persons in search of broad-leaved evergreens suitable for New England 
gardens. It is remarkable, therefore, that this plant, which was raised 
here from seed brought from Japan by Professor Sargent twenty years 
ago, has remained practically unknown in this country beyond the bor- 
ders of the Arboretum. 
The most conspicuous flowers in the Shrub Collection now are those 
of a little European Heath, Erica carnea , which is already covered 
with its rosy red flowers. This is one of the few perfectly hardy 
Heaths which can be grown successfully in this climate, and an excel- 
lent plant for the early spring rock garden. 
The Arboretum will be grateful for any publicity 
given these Bulletins. 
