"This deliciously scented shrub has proved very disappointing this year, and instead of the large examples with which a portion of our walls are clothed being now sheeted with the soft yellow flowers, they present as miserable an appearance as they could do. In other gardens the chimonanthus is in much the same condition as it is with us, and therefore affords but little satisfaction. There was an exceptionally good display of flowers early in the winter, but the severe frost we had at the beginning of January completely destroyed them. The destruction is, indeed, more complete this season than for many years past, owing, as I believe, to the flowers being saturated by the rain and melting snow. I did intend protecting them with canvas when the severe weather set in, but so many other matters had to be seen to at the time that the Chimonanthus was overlooked, with the result here mentioned. Considering how very few flowers we have out of doors during the winter, it is rather surprising that some protection should not be afforded this shrub when in bloom.

A coping of glass or canvas, sufficient to throw off the rains, and thus keep the flowers dry, would be better than nothing, but to thoroughly protect the bloom it will be necessary to provide sufficient canvas or other material to cover the whole of the tree, and to fix it in such a way that it can be readily removed in fine weather. The complete destruction of the flowers this season has induced me to resolve to take some steps for their protection in subsequent years, and I would advise other cultivators to do likewise".

The above is from a correspondent of the Gardeners' Magazine and is also a valuable hint for our readers, as, though a Chinese plant, it is entirely hardy in most parts of our country. If the branches be cut in midwinter, placed in water, standing in a warm room, they will open their buds and fill the whole house with a delicious fragrance.