VIE 
YIS 
there is little doubt of their proving 
quite hardy in our climate. 
There is also a great probability of 
these two plants forming a desirable and 
useful extension of the list of our forcing 
plants ; to which treatment the Gueldres 
rose, which they resemble, may also be 
subjected. The last is a truly handsome 
object in a conservatory through February 
and March, when well managed, and, 
providing suitable plants can be pro¬ 
cured, they force with a certainty and 
success at least equal to the lilac. The 
lants intended for this purpose should 
e procured from layers of the upper 
branches of some established specimen, 
as they have then a more restricted 
growth, and are more easily induced to 
flower. They should be constantly grown 
in pots from the time they are taken 
from their parent, shifting them into 
larger pots as required, till a good-sized 
head is formed and the plant has pro¬ 
duced flowers in a natural manner. About 
three years is generally occupied in thus 
preparing them, and when properly grown 
they may be introduced to heat along 
with roses and lilacs, and treated just in 
the manner of those plants. To save 
trouble, recourse is sometimes had to the 
plants established in the borders, and if 
they can be had in a flowering state, and 
small enough to stand in a pot, there is 
no reason to object to their employment; 
but usually they are too big, and have 
always an inclination to make too much 
wood when in heat; and hence the be¬ 
nefit of preparing them. 
YIRGILIA (Lamarck). Nat. Order, 
Legiminosa. The only hardy species of 
this genus, V. lutea , is a handsome de¬ 
ciduous tree, with pinnate, pale green 
leaves, and long, pendulous racemes of 
yellow, pea-shaped flowers. It is of 
moderate growth, the average height 
being about fifteen feet, and, from its 
copious habit of blooming when in a good 
position, is well suited for planting on 
lawns or some forward part of the shrub¬ 
bery quarters. It was introduced from 
North America upwards of thirty years 
since, but is still scarce, though infinitely 
preferable to the genistas and such things 
as are commonly occupying its place. It 
may be propagated by layers or seeds; 
the latter are not always matured, but 
by the first-named method an abundant 
stock may be readily obtained from esta¬ 
blished stools. The young plants are fit 
for removal in a twelvemonth, and, after 
a couple of years’ nursing, during which 
time they may be trained to take the 
form of either trees or shrubs, they may 
be finally stationed where they are des¬ 
tined to come to maturity. An open 
situation and well-drained loamy soil 
suit them best; and in June and July, 
a well-grown plant is among the most 
ornamental objects we possess in the 
garden. 
YISCUM, Mistletoe (Tournefort). 
Nat. Order, Loranthaceae. This singular 
plant is the only true parasite indigenous 
to this country. Of its perfectly para¬ 
sitical habits there can be no doubt, as 
at no time does it receive support from 
the earth, nor will it continue to exist 
except on living trees. It was held in 
much esteem by the Druids, who re¬ 
verenced it, along with the oak on which 
it grew, and, among other ceremonies, 
used to announce the new year’s en¬ 
trance by sending their attendant youths 
round with branches of the mistletoe. 
Tradition says, it was then plentiful on 
the oak, but it is now seldom seen on 
that tree, though abundant on others in 
the same neighbourhood. It grows with 
greater freedom on the lime than any 
other, and next to it upon the apple. It 
will also live on the thorn, maple, poplar, 
and ash, though of constricted habit, and 
generally upon those trees of short dura¬ 
tion. It is also said to be abundant on 
the Pirns sylvestris near Magdeburg. 
The still-existing custom of introducing 
the mistletoe at our Christmas festivities, 
appears to have descended from the 
Druidical one before mentioned, and has 
created so great a demand, as to render 
the plant scarce where it was some years 
ago abundant, and it is now turned to a 
profitable account by some who have 
large apple orchards. It is not difficult 
of propagation, though obstinately re¬ 
fusing to grow in any other than its 
natural position. If the ripe seeds are 
taken in spring, and inserted in a slit, 
cut just through the bark of any of the 
I trees previously named, and there secured 
