1877. ] 
THE LILAC. 
107 
the best advantage. In lawns, where large clumps of the showy-coloured varieties 
can be planted, it has few superiors in point of brilliancy and fragrance. Clumps 
of Syringa Josikcea are introduced with fine effect in the Central Park, and when 
in flower are among its striking attractions. In this climate it takes the place of 
the Rhododendron, so much prized in.England. Besides being very hardy, it has 
the additional advantage of fragrance, which the hardy Rhododendrons do not 
possess. 
In grounds sufficiently large, it can be used for ornamental hedges. Its dark 
green foliage is not affected by atmospheric changes, nor has it any insect enemies. 
It therefore, always forms a clean and handsome background, and when in flower 
is a feature of the park or garden. AVhere Privet-hedges are already grown, the 
Lilac can be grafted with no little effectiveness, at intervals of about 10 ft. to 
15 ft. The Lilac grafts, when grown, project over the Privet, and form round 
or pyramidal heads, varying the monotony of the ordinary formal hedge. 
By many the Lilac and other highly fragrant flowering-shrubs are considered 
invigorating and healthy as atmospheric purifiers and dispellers of noxious 
vapours. I well recollect when the cholera was raging throughout Europe, in, I 
think, 1830, the savants of the city of Stuttgart, where I was then residing, 
ordered the burning of fragrant herbs in the market-place, to prevent infection. 
Whether owing to this means or not, the city escaped the dreadful scourge. 
Although it will thrive and flower in any soil, an annual top-dressing of 
stable-manure will well repay the trouble and expense, in the fuller development 
and beauty of both flowers and foliage. Half-standards for single specimens 
can be grown either on their own roots, or grafted on the common sorts, as 
well as on the Ash or Privet. In order to render them attractive they must 
have well-balanced bushy heads, and be kept in form by regular thinning and 
pruning. After the flowers have faded they should be removed, in order to cause 
new growth, that will ensure profuse ^blooming the following season. By this 
means the flowers may also be very much enlarged. 
In all large Continental cities, and particularly in Paris, the Lilac is in great 
request for winter flowering. The common purple is generally used for forcing, 
and when kept in houses, darkened by mats or otherwise, produces pure white 
flowers. In order to produce the best results, the plants should be carefully 
selected in the spring and planted in pots ; then plunged in the ground during 
the summer, and kept well watered. In September they should be repotted into 
rich compost, and in succession, according as required, be placed in an atmo* 
sphere of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which should gradually be increased to 
80 degrees, and even as high as 100 degrees. The roots should be well supplied 
with water, and the plants should receive frequent syringings with tepid water. 
They may also be taken up carefully with balls in the fall, to be forced the 
following winter, but we recommend the former method. When no forcing 
house is accessible, a warm room answers very well in its stead. 
For a window-plant the Lilac keeps in bloom a longtime, and has no superior. 
