he flowering shoots may be
preserved intact during the winter. Perfect drainage is absolutely
essential for the first-named.

TRICUSPIDARIA HEXAPETALA.--A very distinct and beautiful evergreen
shrub, perhaps better known as _Crinodendron Hookeri_. It is a native of
Chili, and grows 5 or 6 feet high, its stiff branches set with dark,
shiny ovate leaves. The flowers are nearly globular, very fleshy, and
rich crimson-red or cherry colour. In both co. Wicklow, at Mount Usher,
and at Salerno, co. Dublin, this rare shrub is very luxuriant and
beautiful. It grows well in deep, rich, moist loam or in peaty soils,
and propagates readily by layers laid down under stones.

VIBURNUM.--Some of the Viburnums are handsome against walls, such as _V.
macrocephalum_ and the Chinese _V. plicatum_.

VITIS (Vine).--The Vines are the most graceful and beautiful of all
climbers, and many of them are of glorious colour in autumn. The
Virginian Creepers (_Ampelopsis_) are now grouped with the Vines. Of the
American Vines, _Vitis aestivalis_, _V. californica_, beautiful autumn
colour; _V. cordifolia_, the Northern Fox Grape (_V. Labrusca_),
Southern Fox Grape (_V. vulpina_). The Virginian Creeper (_V.
quinquefolia_) is, as is generally known, very showy in autumn. Of the
Asiatic Vines, _V. Coignetiae_ is the most famous. It has very large
leaves, which turn to a glowing crimson in autumn. It is a noble
climber. _V. heterophylla humulifolia_ has beautiful fruit, each berry
about the size of a pea and turquoise blue; it likes a warm, sunny wall.
_V. (Ampelopsis) Veitchii_ is too well known to describe. _V. Romaneti_
and _V. vinifera_, the Common Grape Vine, also deserve notice. Of the
last-mentioned there are many beautiful varieties, such as _Purpurea_,
Miller's Burgundy, Teinturier, with claret-coloured foliage, and the
Parsley-leaved Vine. _V. Thunbergi_ has very fine leaves, which turn
crimson in autumn. The Vines should be seen in greater variety, and
Messrs. Veitch's recent beautiful novelties planted too.

[Illustration: _OLD WISTARIA AT HAMPTON COURT._]

WISTARIA.--Wistaria time is a pleasant season of the year. A few noble
examples may be seen in the suburbs of London, especially at Kew and
Hampton Court, where the trees must be a great age, while quite a fine
plant is in the Royal Gardens, Kew, also. What may be achieved with this
plant if some attention to its needs were forthcoming is not clear, for
most of the Wistarias we see fr