FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY.
Under this head, the improvements may be con sidered as consisting chiefly in the introduction of various ornamental shrubs and flowers, formerly un known to our pleasure-grounds and parterres. All that here seems necessary, therefore, is to mention the most important of these, and to take notice of any peculiarities in their culture.
The first plaice is perhaps due to several new spe• cies of Rose from China, which have of late years added wonderfully to the beauty and richness of our flower gardens. 1. The Blush China-Rose (Rosa Indica) is so hardy, that it often unfolds its elegant pale red flowers early in the spring, notwithstanding ' the ungenial weather which we generally experience at that season of the year, and it continues display ing a succession of Sowers till November. It is al most without scent ; but the flowers are very showy and produced in great profusion. There is a sweet scented variety, which is of dwarfish stature and not so hardy. When this is placed in a conservatory, it proves highly grateful by its odour, as well as or namental by its delicate colour : it should, however, be observed, that there are two sorts of this ; one having a much richer perfume than the other. 2. The Crimson China-Rose (R. semperflorens) is an elegant spreading shrub. It requires a sheltered si tuation, and in general succeeds best when trained on the outside of a green-house or hot-house wall. Some varieties with semi-double flowers are ex-. tretnely beautiful, and worthy of a place in the con servatory. 3. The Macartney Rose (R. bracteata), although neither so hardy nor so beautiful as the preceding, tends also to decorate the exterior'of our hot-houses with its milk-white flowers, duringthe greater part of the summer. 4. The Brambk-flower ed Rose (R. multiflora) requires to be trained against a wall with a southern aspect : here, however, it of ten proves very ornamental, the flowers coming forth in large clusters. S. Lady Banks's Rose (R. Banksise) is remarkable for the elegance of its foli age ; and it is hardy, growing pretty freely in our open borders, and producing its blossoms readily.
A white variety of the Moss Rose has of late at tracted much notice, on account of its rarity and uncommon appearance. It does not appear to be very permanent, but rather apt to return to the usual hue.
The Ayrshire Rose (R.. capreolata of Don) has likewise excited a good deal of attention. It grows with great rapidity, and has been found very useful for covering any offensive wall, paling, or roof. There are two kinds ; the one most commonly sold in the public nurseries is merely Rosa arvensis, a native of this country : the other is more nearly al lied to R. sempervirens, a native of the south of Europe ; from which, however, it differs consider ably in habit ; in particular, le Ayrshire rose is more hardy, and grows more freely, and during win ter it does not retain its leaves nearly so much as the sempervirens.
Many varieties of the Scots Rose (R. spinosissima) have been raised; some double, others semi-double, but variously coloured in the petals. These, it may be remarked, naturally flower early in the summer ; and it seems reasonable, therefore, to regard them as well adapted for forcing in the spring.
Some very ornamental Japan shrubs are particu-i larly deserving of notice. 1. The Corchorus Japo-E nicus (or Kerrea Japonica), trained against a north or east wall, retains its leaves through the winter, and early in the spring produces its rich yellow blossoms in profusion. 2. The Japan Apple (Pyres Japonica), trained on the outside of a green-house or hot-house, displays at the same early season its beautiful red blossoms. A white-flowered variety has likewise been introduced, and forms a good con trast with the other. In favourable situations the fruit often attains a considerable size during sum mer; but the shrub is of importance only in the way of ornament. S. The Gold Plant of Japan (Aucuba Japonica) highly adorns the shrubbery, especially during winter, by its brilliant leaves, blotched with gold yellow. In sheltered situations it sustains our ordinary winters without injury.