acter. Of those
obtainable from nurseries, _R. biflorus_, a Himalayan species often to
be had from dealers under the erroneous name of _Rubus leucodermis_, is
the best. Dr. A. Henry has introduced a Chinese species, _Rubus
lasiostylus_, which is even better than _biflorus_; the bloom is more
distinctly blue, and the stems sturdier and more self-supporting. The
species is, however, an extremely rare one in cultivation. It is
scarcely necessary to repeat how essential it is that these Brambles and
Cornels should be planted in bold groups.

"Among trees the most noteworthy as regards the colour of their bark are
the Birches. The beauty of the Common White Birch has not been
overlooked by planters. A single specimen or a few grouped together make
a bright winter picture when associated with evergreens. The Canoe Birch
of North America (_Betula papyrifera_) has a bark of an even purer
white than our native species. The Yellow Birch (_B. lutea_) shows warm
orange-brown tints on the more recently exposed surfaces of its bark.
The bark of the River Birch (_B. nigra_) is not brightly coloured, being
of a dull dark brown, but it gives the tree a notably curious aspect
owing to the way it stands out from the trunk and branches in great
ragged-looking flakes.

[Illustration: _A WITCH HAZEL IN FLOWER: HAMAMELIS JAPONICA VAR.
ZUCCARINIANA._]

A FLOWER GARDEN IN WINTER

"It is possible to make a new feature in gardens by setting apart a
piece of ground exclusively for the cultivation of trees, shrubs, and
bulbs--in short, any plants that flower or are bright with fruit or bark
between, say, the beginning of November and the end of February. One
might term it 'an outdoor winter garden.' For the purpose there would be
required a well-drained piece of ground, the soil of which was fertile
and open. The situation should be fully exposed to the south and west,
but guarded well on the north and east sides by a thick belt of
evergreen trees and shrubs. The shelter would be still more complete if
the site sloped rather steeply to the south-west. Such shelter would be
welcome, not only to the plants that grew there, but to those who might
visit and tend them. Some of the more noteworthy trees and shrubs with
ornamental barks I have already mentioned. Plants that carry their fruit
into winter might be included, such as the Hollies, especially the
yellow-berried Holly; _Crataegus Crus-Galli_ and _C. cordata_;
_Cotoneaster rotundifolia_, w