VIB 
VIB 
They prefer a dry soil and sunny posi¬ 
tion. Two of them, arctica and arenosa , 
are natives of North America, and very 
hardy; the other shrubby species, utri- 
culata , coming from the Levant, is rather 
more tender. They are increased by 
cuttings, or layers, or seeds, which are 
produced in singularly inflated pods, very 
remarkable in autumn. 
VIBURNUM (Linn.) Nat. Order, 
Caprifoliaceee . This is an extensive genus, 
and included in it are some of our most 
popular shrubs. V. opulus, the Gueldres 
rose, is well known, and, with its va¬ 
rieties, much admired among deciduous 
shrubs. They all have large, handsome 1 
heads of white flowers, resembling those 
of the hydrangea, produced at an early 
season, and continuing in beauty for a 
considerable time. Loudon justly re¬ 
marks, a very beautiful group may be 
formed with these, the lilac, laburnum, 
and scarlet thorn. They attain a height 
of eight or ten feet, and should therefore 
be planted in the back ground. Almost 
any position or soil suits them; nor do 
they refuse the confinement and impure 
air of the most confined districts, and, 
so that they are not immediately beneath 
the drip of large trees, are available 
everywhere. The variegated variety and 
V. op. sterile, or Snowball tree, are par¬ 
ticularly deserving attention. The most 
important of the genus, however, is V. 
tinus, or, as it is commonly called, Lau- 
rustinus; so universal is the admiration 
of this species, that it is found in every 
garden. Its neat, compact habit, and 
deep green, shining leaves, render it or¬ 
namental at all seasons; while, in autumn 
and winter, its copious heads of white 
flowers have a very enlivening, cheerful 
aspect. 
It is said to be a native of the south 
of Europe, and has been cultivated in 
this country nearly two centuries and a 
half, in the course of which time several 
varieties have been originated, differing 
more or less from the parent in their 
manner of growth. Many of these have, 
through inattention, been lost; and some 
are of so little consequence, as to remain 
unnoticed. The established and most re¬ 
markable are, however, in much request, 
and such as lucidum, on account of its 
large, dark, and glittering foliage; strict im, 
for its distinct, erect habit; and the sub- 
varieties of each, with variegated leaves, 
will ever be desirable. Hirtum and vir- 
atum are also pretty; the first is known 
y its rugose leaves and stems, and the 
latter by its dwarf, slender, twiggy 
growth. 
The Laurustinus delights in rich, mel¬ 
low loam, and is well worth the trouble 
of selecting proper situations. It is 
liable to be injured by severe frosts, and 
should therefore be stationed where it 
will be screened from the worst weather; 
and, when very sharp frosts.occur, it will 
be well to take the additional precaution 
of covering with mats. In dry soils it 
succeeds admirably as an under-shrub; 
but where the earth is of an opposite 
character, the plants should only be placed 
where they may receive the full influence 
of sun and air, or a long-jointed, debi¬ 
litated growth will result, and the pro¬ 
duction of flowers rendered meagre, or 
entirely prevented. The pruning of these 
shrubs should be done in April or May, 
and those which have grown naked or 
straggling may be cut completely into 
the old wood, or even to the ground. 
They will subsequently break out with 
extraordinary vigour, and in a year or 
two become fine specimens. It is essen¬ 
tial that the pruning be done at the time 
mentioned, for, if an earlier season be 
selected, there is danger of the wounded 
parts being injured by frosts, and at a 
later period there is not time left for 
the new shoots to become matured be¬ 
fore the winter, or to form their flower- 
buds. Propagation is readily effected by 
layers, which should be put down in 
autumn, with a tongue ; for, though the 
branches will emit roots, if merely buried 
in the earth, they are less numerous and 
more scattered than when the extra 
trouble of properly preparing them is 
resorted to. Such layers form plants fit 
for detaching by the following autumn, 
and may then be taken off and bedded, or 
placed in pots. If the former method is 
taken, the plants should stand about a 
foot from each other; and, as soon as they 
are done, the beds should be hooped over, 
in order to protect them at first from 
powerful sun-light, and subsequently from 
