On The Odors Of Roses And The Modes Op Obtatning Them

Rubus. Bramble

[Name from the Celtic word rub, which signifies red.]

This genus embraces rambling rough plants, well-known and highly prized for their grateful, delicious, and wholesome fruits; the Raspberries, Blackberries, and Thimble-berries, with their varieties. The "High Blackberry pro-' duces clusters of handsome white flowers, succeeded by delicious fruit, and when cultivated in the garden, is much improved.

Rubus Odoratus. The Flowering Raspberry

This is the only ornamental variety; found growing freely in mountainous districts, "giving a charm to many a solitary spot by its large, rose-like flowers." The leaves are large and handsome. The fruit is inferior to the other species. It deserves a place among other shrubs. It should be planted in a shady place.

Sambucus. Elder

[Name from an ancient musical instrument, supposed to have been made from the wood of this tree.]

Sambucus Canadensis. Common Elder

This very common shrub grows about eight or ten feet high in low ground, and conspicuous in June and July for its broad cymes of white flowers, succeeded by clusters of small, dark-purple, or nearly black, berries. An infusion of the bruised leaves is used by gardeners to expel insects from vines. The flowers are highly esteemed, as having important medicinal qualities. The plant, on account of its ornamental flowers and berries, may be introduced into extensive shrubberies.

S. Nigra - European Elder

This species is very common in Europe, and is the original of several ornamental varieties, among which are, 8. laciniatus, or Parsley-leaved, which is a variety of the European S. nigra, a shrub eight feet high, with deeply cut or laciniated leaves and white flowers. There a number of other curious varieties, one the Golden-striped, in which the leaves are striped or blotched with yellow. A variety of the Parsley-leaved, or Silver-striped, has leaves beautifully variegated with white. There is also a variety with double, pure white flowers, 'of which the shrub has some resemblance to our Common Elder. The flowers, however, are so offensive to the smell, that they are not desirable to cut, but handsome on the bush.

Sheperdia

[So named by Nuttall, in compliment to Mr. Thomas Shepherd, of the Botanic Garden, Liverpool.]

Shepherdia Argentea. Buffalo Tree

This graceful shrub, or low tree, is found in the neighborhood of the Rocky Mountains, in large clumps, or clusters. It is eaten or browsed by the Buffalo, from which it derives its common name. The tree is graceful in its appearance, growing from ten to thirteen feet high; the branches are rather pendulous; the leaves are small, of a soft, woolly nature, and have a silvery appearance. It has staminate and pistillate flowers on different plants, hence both kinds should be grown together. The branches of the female trees are thickly studded with clusters of small crimson berries, nearly the size of the red currant. The fruit has a pleasant acid flavor, and is sometimes used for jelly or preserve. There is an astringent taste in addition to the acid, which makes the fruit of little value, in comparison with the common currant. For an ornamental tree or shrub, it deserves a place among other plants. It is beautiful in fruit. The flowers cannot boast of much beauty.

Spartium. Broom

[From the Greek, signifying cordage; the earliest ropes were made of this and similar plants.]

Spartiuni Scoparium. Common Broom

A shrub, thick-set with verdant, flexible, rush-like twigs, which are very ornamental in winter, and generally profusely covered with showy, white, or yellow, pea-shaped flowers in summer. A very ornamental shrub in the garden scenery. It is not very common in New England, as our winters are rather severe upon it. In the interior of the country, we find no difficulty in keeping it, when the snows are deep. If planted on the north side of a wall, and covered with snow, it will be found perfectly green in the spring, and will flower abundantly.