113.  Corylus Avellana.  The hazel.—­Is a well known shrub of large growth producing nuts, which are much admired.  The Filbert is an improved variety of this plant.  The farmers in Kent are the best managers of Filberts, and it is the only place where they are grown with any certainty; which appears to be owing principally to the trees being regularly pruned of the superfluous wood.  It is performed in the month of March when the plants are in bloom, and is the only time when the fruit-bearing wood can be distinguished.

114.  Crataegus Aria.  White Beam-tree.—­Is a beautiful tree producing very hard wood, and is much in esteem for cogs of millwork and various other purposes.

115.  Crataegus Oxyacantha.  The quickset, or white-thorn.—­This is in great request for making fences, and is the best plant we know for such purposes if properly managed.  It is readily propagated by sowing the hips, or fruit, which does not readily grow the first season; it is therefore usual to bury them mixed with saw-dust, or sand, one year, and then to sow them in beds.

116.  Daphne Laureola.  Spurge- or wood-laurel.—­Is used in medicine; which see.

We have many species of Daphne which are very ornamental to our shrubberies and green-houses:  these are propagated principally by grafting; and the Wood-Laurel being hardy and of ready growth forms the stock principally used.  It is readily propagated by seeds, which in three years will make plants large enough for this purpose.

The plant in all its parts is excessively acrid.  I remember a man being persuaded to take the leaves reduced to powder, as a remedy for Syphilis, and he died in consequence in great agony in a few hours.

117.  Daphne Mezerium.  MEZERION.—­Is a very beautiful shrub, and is one of the earliest productions of Flora, often exhibiting its brilliant scarlet flowers in January and February.  We have also a white variety of this shrub in the gardens.  The bark and roots are extremely acrimonious, and are used in medicine.

118.  Erica vulgaris.  The common heath, Heather, or Ling.—–­This spontaneous produce of most of our sandy waste lands is of much usin rural oeconomy.

It is of considerable value for making brooms, and affords food to sheep, goats, and other animals; particularly to the grouse and heath-cock.  The branches of heath placed upright in a wooden frame form the couch of repose to the brave Highlander.  It is also stated that an excellent beverage was brewed from the tops of this plant, but the art of making it is now lost.  This is the most common of the species, but all the others have similar properties.  They are very ornamental plants.  A numerous variety of heaths are brought from the Cape of Good Hope, and afford great pleasure to the amateur of exotic plants, being the greatest ornaments to our green-houses.