106 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ July, 
has become tlie plant of the general public; it is 
everybody’s plant, and is found in every conceiv¬ 
able situation, and one might say under almost 
every condition, always accommodating itself to 
the circumstances in which it is placed. Indeed, 
the Syringa vulgaris is not only serviceable as 
an indoor decorative plant, but one of the most 
reliable and effective shrubbery plants that we 
possess, in some degree luxuriating even in 
the vitiated, murky atmosphere of our large 
cities, where vegetation, as a rule, lias to 
struggle for existence. 
With all this, the Lilac, like most other sub¬ 
jects, is benefited by careful culture, and deserves 
far more general attention than, as a rule, it 
receives in English gardens. We are particularly- 
wanting in varieties, of which so many of im¬ 
proved character exist, and are procurable at 
a trifling cost. It is really surprising how 
limited our collections generally are, for it is 
quite exceptional to find other than the follow¬ 
ing sorts represented in our grounds :— Syringa 
vulgaris , and its white variety; S. persica, 
purple and white forms ; the Siberian variety, 
occasionally represented ; and very recently we 
have added such sorts as Charles X., a strong¬ 
growing variety of vulgaris , which forces freely 
in a moderately large state ; and Dr. Lindley , 
a dwarf, compact, free-growing kind, well suited 
for forcing. These latter are doubtless two 
superior varieties, to which may be added with 
advantage such kinds as rubra insignis , a very 
remarkable,fine variety, well meriting attention, 
Duchesse de Nemours, grandiflora , spectabilis , 
Vallettiana , Ville de Troyes, Princesse Marie , 
Princesse Camille de Rohan , &c. There are 
doubtless others of the many kinds now in 
existence which possess superior merits. How¬ 
ever, in these general remarks I am somewhat 
diverging from the point meditated, which was 
the early forcing of Lilacs, and more particu¬ 
larly the varieties of the Persian Lilac, such as 
Syringa persica, S. persica alba , and S. persica 
incisa , to which may very fittingly be added 
Dr. Lindley, on account of its compact habit 
and free-blooming properties. 
It is a usual practice, which is not always 
attended with perfect success, as they seldom 
bloom or stand so long as established plants, 
to pot-up plants from the ground with balls, 
and introduce them at once into the forcing- 
house. Certainly, it is not the most judicious 
method to adopt, with such plants as are ex¬ 
pected to produce flowers during the months 
of December and January. This I have re¬ 
peatedly proved, and I would guarantee that 
one-quarter of the plants, properly prepared 
and potted twelve months previous to forcing, 
and having encouragement so as to secure 
thorough development and maturation in the 
previous summer, will produce a much greater 
amount of satisfaction, with the addi¬ 
tional advantage of greater compactness of 
habit and profuseness of blossom, which 
renders them far more efficient for asso¬ 
ciation with small plants in different combina¬ 
tions. For this purpose they are as superior 
to lifted plants as it is possible to conceive, and 
the practice involves but a trifling amount of 
labour. I have grown the Persian varieties 
grafted upon stocks of the Ligustrum, which 
answers well for standard plants, as they form 
vigorous growth; and in this form are very 
serviceable to stand amongst plants for effect, 
being so light and elegant. The only objec¬ 
tion to them is the growth of an abundant crop 
of suckers, which are troublesome to keep 
under. 
It will be obvious that a little care in the 
preparation of store plants for potting-up will 
be necessary, and the stools should be fre¬ 
quently divided, selected, and sized, cutting 
them into form, and planting in good soil in 
an open situation, where the only care neces¬ 
sary is the trimming-in of unruly shoots 
which mar the symmetry of the plants, sedu¬ 
lously watching to keep under any root-suckers 
which may appear. Plants potted up in from 
6-in. to 12-in. pots, according to size, and 
plunged up to the rim in a sunny spot during 
the summer, may be brought forward in a 
moderate temperature during November, where 
they will quickly produce an abundant and 
lasting supply of fragrant blossoms, which at 
that dull season of the year are especially wel¬ 
come. Where space is not limited, a profu¬ 
sion of blossoms may be obtained after the 
turn of the year, by lifting moderate-sized 
bushes with large balls, and placing them in 
heat.. If they have been prepared by cutting 
round or lifting some time previous, so much the 
better. The Lilac is so accommodating as to 
management as to produce average results 
under any moderately careful treatment. At 
