the family, and there is no beauty in the
wood during winter, consequently the growths should only be shortened
back to within three eyes of the base annually.

SAMBUCUS.--The Elder family, like the preceding, is a large one, and
fortunately adapts itself to almost any soil and situation. First and
foremost must be mentioned _Sambucus nigra aurea_, a bold and beautiful
tall-growing Elder, and its rich golden foliage produces a marvellous
effect in the landscape. Large bold masses of this should always be used
where practical in a half-open position. Hard pruning in this case must
be carried out, cutting the summer's growth close to the ground annually
in the last week of March. The effect of the greenish-grey wood in
winter when treated in this way is pleasing; the silvery variegated
form, though not so showy, is worthy of a place where the grounds are
extensive. Should be planted on poor soil in an open position, and
pruned hard annually. _S. n. laciniata_ (the Parsley-leaved Elder) is a
beautiful and distinct form of the cut-leaved Elder, which attains its
true character and makes splendid beds; it requires the same kind of
treatment as to pruning as the above. _S. racemosa foliis aurea_ is
unquestionably the finest variety in cultivation, and one would like to
see it more often in our gardens, but there seems to be an unreasonable
prejudice against golden-leaved shrubs, however beautiful. It does best
on a deep rich soil in a fully-exposed position, and prune back hard
early in April. The cuttings should be propagated in pots in a cold
frame. The whole of the Elders should be planted 3 feet apart.

SPARTIUM JUNCEUM (the Spanish Broom).--Flowers in early autumn and lasts
a considerable time. Its bright-yellow blooms are very telling in the
distance. Plant 4 feet apart, and prune after flowering.

[Illustration: _SPIRAEA CANESCENS (syn. flagelliformis)._]

SPIRAEAS.--Another beautiful and interesting class for effect either in
summer or winter, when sufficiently large plantations are made and
properly treated. The whole of these should be planted at a distance of
2 feet apart, on deeply-trenched and well-manured ground. The North-West
American _Spiraea Douglasi_, though one of the most common, is
unsurpassed for its distinct and beautiful wood during autumn and
winter, but the only way to see it at its best is to cut it clean to the
ground every year during the last week in March. It will then produce
young strong g