tubs. They form a dense mat of fibres, and can
therefore be lifted with little check. Owing to this they can, when
ordinary care is used, be transferred to new quarters without losing a
leaf, not only when potted, but also when planted out in the open
ground. Hard forcing must be avoided, but the Rhododendrons may be
brought on gradually in gentle heat. Under this treatment they must be
well supplied with water, and liberal syringing is also beneficial. The
wide range of colouring in the Rhododendron family gives an opportunity
for getting almost any shade desired.

RHODOTYPUS KERRIOIDES.--A beautiful Japanese shrub, reminding one of a
Kerria, but the flowers are white. It will succeed with the same
treatment as the Kerria requires.

RIBES (Flowering Currant).--Both the yellow-flowered _R. aureum_ and the
various forms of _R. sanguineum_ can be brought into flower early under
glass, but the flowers do not last long, and for this reason the shrubs
are little used for the purpose.

SPIRAEAS.--An extensive family, some of which bloom delightfully when
lifted and potted in the autumn and brought into flower in gentle heat.
They may also be grown permanently in pots, but as a rule autumn potting
is preferable. The most popular is _S. confusa_ or _media_, but also
very charming are _S. arguta_, one of the most beautiful of all
Spiraeas, _S. Van Houttei_, _S. Thunbergi_, and _S. prunifolia fl. pl._,
which all bear white flowers, those of the last mentioned being double.

STAPHYLEA (Bladder Nut).--_S. colchica_ is most used for forcing, and is
a charming shrub for the purpose. It quickly responds to heat and
moisture. Brought on in a gentle greenhouse temperature, it gives a
wealth of drooping clusters of white fragrant flowers. Keep the shrubs
in pots, as the buds are produced more freely than when planting out is
done, and after the flowers are over prune hard back. There is a hybrid
between _S. pinnata_ and _S. colchica_, called _Columbieri_, which is
better than _S. colchica_.

SYRINGA (Lilac).--The Lilac is one of the most popular of shrubs for
forcing, and may be had in bloom by Christmas or soon after, its flowers
being welcome from then until they appear out of doors. Thousands of
plants for flowering under glass are prepared in the most careful way
every year, the neat bushes, about 2 feet high, having been grown in
pots 7 or 8 inches across and plunged in the open ground. This treatment
results in close and comp