act balls of soil, which, when turned out of
the pots, retain their shape and bear the journey well. These plants are
pruned hard back after flowering to keep them dwarf. Lilacs that have
been frequently moved may be lifted and flowered without risk. Most of
those sent from Holland consist of the white-flowered variety, _Marie
Legrange_, but the dark-coloured _Charles X._ is also grown. The many
double-flowered Lilacs are not so popular as the singles. It is a pure
delight to smell the flowers of the Lilac long before they appear in the
open garden; they are most welcome.

VIBURNUM.--When the plants are well budded the Laurustinus (_V. Tinus_)
will flower throughout the winter in a greenhouse. Of those that are
amenable to slight forcing the best are the common Guelder Rose (_V.
Opulus sterile_), the Chinese _V. plicatum_, and _V. macrocephalum_.
Treat them in the same way as the Lilac. The Guelder Rose is a
delightful shrub under glass, with its wealth of ivory-white balls. It
is one of the most interesting of all the things that can be brought
into bloom in a greenhouse. Treat the Viburnums in the same way as
recommended for the Lilacs.

WISTARIA.--It is only within the past few years that the Wistaria has
been used to any extent for flowering in this way, but now it is
universally admired. At the exhibitions early in the year it always
attracts more attention than any other shrub grown in a greenhouse; the
soft lilac colouring of the flowers is very beautiful against the tender
green of the expanding leaves. The best and general way is to grow it as
a standard, as the racemes hang down in graceful profusion. _W.
sinensis_ is the Wistaria planted so freely against houses and pergolas,
and for flowering under glass the variety _alba_ may be mentioned; it is
more satisfactory than in the open garden. _W. multijuga_, which has
racemes of great length, may also be tried, but _W. sinensis_ is as
charming as any, and the most likely to give satisfaction. Wistarias
transplant badly, hence in nurseries are usually kept in pots;
therefore, for flowering under glass, permanent pot culture is the
proper treatment. To obtain standards train up a single shoot till the
required height is reached, then stop it, and encourage the formation of
branches. When the head has reached flowering size, after the flowers
are over, spur the shoots back to good eyes to keep the growth fairly
compact.

JAPANESE MAPLES (_Acer palmatum_ and vari