aera Ssreverst: BA ag lt aa Eas ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY COorNELL UNIVERSITY GIFT FROM THE LIBRARY OF Doc AND Katy ABRAHAM, THE GREEN THUMB, Nap es, N.Y. Cornell University The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http ://www.archive.org/details/cu31924097 729663 HENDERSON’S HANDBOOK OF ‘PLANTS GENERAL HORTICULTURE. BY PETER HENDERSON, AUTHOR OF *.. of GARDENING FOR PROFIT,” ‘“‘PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE,” * GARDENING FOR PLEASURE,” ETC., ETC., AND JOINT AUTHOR OF ‘HOW THE FARM PAYS.” NEW EDITION. - NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY PETER HENDERSON & COMPANY, 35 AND 37 CORTLANDT STREET. 1910, Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1890, by PETER HENDERSON & CO., In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, BG Press of Joun C. Rankin Co., New York. PREFACK TO THE SECOND EDITION. LTHOUGH I have every reason to be satisfied with the flattering reception given to the first edition of the Hanpsoox or Pranrts, issued in 1881, yet I have ever believed that its scope was too limited; that the requirements of the thousands of amateurs, young florists and gardeners, needed some- thing having a wider range. To meet that want there is not only added in the present edition all the new genera of any importance up to date, but there is specified in many instances the more important and useful species and varieties of the genera described, together with brief instructions for propagation and culture. The botanical and technical terms, and a very full list of the best-known English or popular names, are also given, and great care has been exercised to have all the generic names accentuated according to the latest authorities. Nearly one thousand engravings of the various plants described in the body of this work are shown. The natural system of arrange- ment being now generally used, is adopted in the descriptions instead of the Linnean or artificial system. — Very full instructions are given for the culture and forcing of all Fruits, Flowers and Vegetables of importance, such as Grape Vines, Strawberries, Roses, Bulbs of all kinds, Celery, Cauliflower, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Mushrooms, etc.; in short, I believe that there is sufficient matter given on all gardening subjects to allow me to claim for this book that it is an AMERICAN Gardener’s Dictionary. A series of tables and memoranda on horticultural and agricultural subjects, such as Seeds, Crops, Stock, Forestry, Measures, Weights, Temperature, etc., is also added, which, together with a carefully compiled glossary of the technical terms used in describing plants, and a monthly calendar of operations for the green-house and window garden, flower, fruit and kitchen garden, will undoubtedly render this edition valuable as a book of reference. The name of the book will now be “Tue Hanppoox or Piants anp Genera Horri- cuLtuRE,” and I believe that for all practical purposes it will be better adapted to the wants of American horticulturists than any of the more costly British works on garden- ing, and at one-third of their cost; for though from a foreign standpoint these are all they claim to be, yet for the American climate much of the information, and especially the gardening instructions, are not only useless, but actually misleading. In the first edition of this work I was largely indebted to the following books as authorities : Loudon’s Encyclopedia of Plants; Paxton’s: Botanical Dictionary; Paxton’s Magazine of Botany; Johnson’s Gardener’s Dictionary; McIntosh’s Book of the Garden; Rhind’s Vegetable Kingdom; Lindley’s Treasury of Botany; Orchid Grower’s Manual; Miller’s Gardener’s Diction- ary; Gerarde’s Herbal (1597); Parkinson’s Garden of Pleasant Flowers (1629); Dodoen’s Plants (1587); Gray’s Manual of Botany; Chapman’s Southern Flora; American Agriculturist, of New York; The Gardener’s Monthly, of Philadelphia, Pa. ; and The Garden, London, England. In addition to the above, I am indebted for plants of late introduction to— Nicholson’s Dictionary of Gardening, The Garden Oracle, Robinson’s English Flower Garden, The Gardener’s Chronicle, Journal of Horticulture (London), and the various American horticultural journals. In compiling this edition, I have been most ably assisted by Mr. Wu. J. Davipson, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who not only is a thorough botanist, but is perhaps the peer of any man in the United States to-day in his all-round knowledge of garden work. PETER HENDERSON. Jersey Crry, N. J., January, 1890. INDEX. Although this work is alphabetically arranged, yet as a quicker means of looking up cultural directions of important plants and matters pertairling to general horticulture, we give the fdllow- ing Index: PacE Alfalftisncoccsdoeseanagesenreenies 15 Alpine Plants weg, AT Annuals 24 Asparagus........ Sei 45 AVENUES 6 siscissca snwissiaaiiewsemen 39 Bark? sesscecegeeswuasies: ns secie es 42 Bedding ... 46 Binding Plants... ........2....6 50 Blackberry ........0..-25 0 seeeee 384 Blight .....c.ccccsecceeeeeeeee ss BL Borders, Flower. 53 Bouquets, etc..........cceeee eee 54 Budding ............ceececeeeeee 59 Cauliflower ........00 eee eeeeeeees 15 Celery. sisincineccaewseictin- aww TE Cisterns...... 88 Club Root.... 92 Coffee .........55-- 94 Cold Frames and Pits...... caves 96 Color in Flowers.... ...2sssece+2 97 Conservatory .. -.-.. Coral Tree ........ .. Cotton Plant..... Cranberry ......... saseesenas 9k Cultivator ,....-... 111 Damping off ....... Designs .......... Draining........--.se00+ Fertilizers ........ Florists’ Flowers........--eeeees . 156 Forcing Fruits, Flowers anti Vege- dizuiee sinieteinn 206. wee 157 Frozen Plants........-- seoeeesee 159 Gas Lime aud Gas Tar........-+. 163 eccscccccees 390 Ginkgo Tree ......... Gladiolus .......... Glass and Glazing. . Grafting ..... ose Grape Vine..... Perr ee eee 482 Grasses .......-+eececeees 173 and 174 Green-bouse .......6+ seee LI6 Hand Glass .......++ ++. 180 Hanging Baskets.......6.--- «+++ 180 Heating by Flues, Hot-beds, Hot Water, etc......-.seseeeee »-.181-183 Hedges . yorou Herbaceous leita: .ascwereoes 186 Herbarium ......cceee eee veee es 188 Horse-radish.. «- 193 Hybridization. -. 197 Immortelles ........2.. 00.000 185 Insecticides..... bin Sia, cia or areaypyale aie 201 EMBO CUE esses jctseraressiveareiiats oteieisis aiaraiss 202 Johnson Grags......cece cee eeee ve 210 Lawn ......... ‘ seeeee 219 THU OB e cceie vsciassiein sin Siw wee sae neesqeieinn eo) BOD Lily of the Valley Magnolia ...... Manures ... Marker...... 260 261 Narcissus .... oe Orchard ......c.scceccesreaces oe» 286 Orchid Culture ...........0..4002 287 Ornamental Planting . Paper Plants........ Parlor Gardening . . Pearl Millet.........+..+ siarerauasiei’ . 309 Pitcher Plants .........+- ssseee. 278 Planting ....- «2... Planting, Evil of Deep.. Plant Protectors ...... Plants in Rooms...... Plants for Shady Places Plants for Sea Side.... Plant Stove .......cccsesaceecseee Plants, Unhealthy .... Poisonous Plants . Propagation by Cuttings. Propagation by Layering ........ 352 Propagation by Seeds, etc........ 349 ® PLUNING. «cies: sie iaiare'ns sis sees 353 Rake, useof ..... 363 Raspberry ..... . 384 Rhubarb... saisaieeinnec OOk Rock Garden.......c0cscecersceee 378 Rock Work .... .. Rollers....... seseee 880 Rose, culture of the. Rotation of Crops .. +. 385 Paes Rustic Work.......-- eevee eeeee 386 Sainfoin Screens.... Sea Kale Seeds, where grown........ Strawberry Strawberry Forcing.... Stock Gilliflower..... . 245 Subsoiling ............. . 440 Sub-tropical Garden . misieiatis . 440 Table, Stage and Bench Temperature......... Transplanting .... Trenching ..........+.- Tuberose .. Vases .... 20.008 Ventilating .......... Violets.......20. eves Wardian Case...... Water Cress......-.0006 . 270 » 489 Watering ......... seein deesenreis 489 Water Lilies ............. 278 and 478 Water Plants. .......sseeeceereee 490 Weeds ........5 swioiartate asia ~ 492 Winter Flowering Plants. ae 495 Working Roots.........000 esos 497 Glossary) ......se.00-0. eeeee 504-610 Calendar of Garden Operations (Monthly).. .. ............ 611-518 Tables on Temperature. .. . 619 Soil, Memoranda on «oe 520 Manures, se 620 Fertilizers, ef . 60 Crops, ts 621 Seeds, sd «+ 621 Stock, ae sveveeveceers 522 Forestry, - seseeerseeeee 523 Masonry, etc., ‘ saan wae 523 Weights and Measures . vee G24 Foreign Money... ....... seeeeee 526 Measuring Trees and other Mis- cellaneous Information........ 526 HHENDERSON’S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS AND GENERAL HORTICULTURE. AAR A aron’s Beard. Hypericum calycinum. aron’s Club. Verbascum Thapsus. Aba’ca, a popular name given to. one of the Musas or Banagas of the Philippine Islands, which yields Manilla hemp. Abe'le. The White Poplar, Populus alba, of Eu- rope; a tree that has been extensively planted as an ornamental tree, but discarded because of its tendency to sucker and spread beyond control. . Abe'lia. After Dr. Abel, physician to the embas- sage of Lord Amherst to China. Nat. Ord. Caprifoliacew. A small genus of green-house shrubs, found in India, China, Mexico, and Japan. They are of a slender branching habit, bearing opposite leaves and terminal bunches of tubular rose- colored or dark crimson flowers. La. AND GENERAL HORTICULTURE. qT ACA jectured that the leaf of A. spinosus furnished the model for the decoration of the capitals of the columns in the Corinthian style of archi- tecture. Propagated by seeds or division of the roots. , Acaulescent. With apparently no stem. Accessory. Something additional, not usually present. Acclimatize. To accustom a plant to live in the open air without protection, in a country where it is not indigenous. We give the meaning attached to the term, though we question the popular belief. Plants may be- come acclimatized in the course of ages, but not perceptibly in any one generation. It is true we can temporarily and gradually harden off a plant so that it will stand a great degree of cold, but the product of that plant, whether from cuttings or seeds, will not be hardier than the original individual. Accumbent. Lying against anything; used in opposition to incumbent, or lying upon some- thing; a term employed in describing the em- bryo of Crucifers. A’cer. Maple. From acer, hard, or sharp; the wood is extremely hard, and was formerly much used for making pikes and lances. Nat. Ord. Aceracee. A genus comprised for the most part of handsome deciduous shrubs and trees, well adapted for forming shrubberies, and used ex- tensively as shade-trees. Several of the spe- cies produce very valuable timber. Sugar is one of the constituent parts of the sap in all of the species, and in this country large quan- tities of excellent sugar and syrup are manu- factured from the sap of the Sugar Maple, A. Saccharatum. The beautiful varieties of A. Japonicum and A. palmatum, introduced by Mr. Thomas Hogg from Japan, form strikingly handsome objects for lawn decoration. The leaves of some of them are beautifully dis- sected, rivalling fern fronds in beauty, while many others have the richest tints of yellow, pink, red and brown, giving them during the entire summer a rich autumnal appearance. They are perfectly hardy, and are increased by grafting on a dwarf Japanese species. A. negundo, or Box Elder, is now called Negundo aceroides, or N. fraxinifolium, which see. Acera’ceze. A natural order of trees and shrubs inhabiting Europe, the temperate parts of Asia, the north of India, and North America. . The order is unknown in Africa and the southern hemisphere. The bark of some is astringent, and yields reddish-brown and yellow colors. The order only contains three genera, and rather more than fifty species, of which the Maple and Sycamore are well-known repre- sentatives. A’ceras. Man Orchis. From a, without, and Keras, a horn; the lip having no spur. A very interesting genus of terrestrial orchids, the most singular of which is the Green Man Orchis, indigenous to dry, chalky pastures in the southeast of England. Acera’tes. Green Milkweed. A genus of Ascle- pediacee, natives of America and Mexico. The leaves of A. Viridifiora, one of the most com- mon species, are singularly variable in form, ranging from obovate to lanceolate, or linear. ACI Acerose. Needle pointed; fine and slender, with a sharp point. Acha’nia Malvaviscus. A synonym of Malva- viscus arboreus, which see. Achille’a. Yarrow. Named in honor of Achilles, a pupil of Chiron, who first used it in medi- cine. Nat. Ord. Composite. Free-flowering, hardy herbaceous plants, particularly suited to plant among rock-work, or in situations refused by more tender plants. They are chiefly European plants, and the pre- vailing colors of the flowers are yellow and white. A. millefolium, or Milfoil, the common Yarrow, is common on our roadsides and neg- lected fields. A. tomentosa, of dense habit, is one of the best and brightest yellow flowers for the herbaceous border, or rock-garden. ., during summer. A. Americana, is a splendid decorative plant, anative of South America introduced to cul- tivation in 1640. The varieties with striped foliage are considered the most desirable as ornamental plants. It was at one time a pre- vailing idea that this plant only flowered once in a hundred years ; but this is found now tobe a popular error. If given sufficient heat, it will flower when ten or twelve years old. The flower stem rises from the center of the plant to a height of about thirty feet, bearing an immense number of yellowish-green flowers, after perfecting which the plant perishes. New plants are formed around the base of the old one in the form of suckers. It furnishes a variety of products; the plants form impen- etrable fences; the leaves furnish fibers of various qualities, from that used in the finest thread to that in the strongest rope cables; the juice, when the watery part is evaporated, forms a good soap, and will mix and form a lather with salt water as well as fresh; a very intoxicating drink is also made from the juice, as well as other preparations of a similar nature; the leaves are made into razor- strops, and are also used in scouring all sorts of culinary utensils. Over one hundred spe- cies have been described, but according to Bentham and Hooker, not over fifty are suf- ficiently distinct to rank as such. They are AGR distributed over South America, Mexico, and the Southern States. Agera'tum. From a not, and geras, old; in reference to the flowers being always clear. Nat. Ord. Composite. A. Mexicanum, the type of this genus is a well known occupant of our flower borders. It bears a profusion of lilac- blue flowers all season, and is very useful for cutting. Several very dwarf varieties of it have originated under cultivation which are very useful in ribbon and carpet bedding. A variegated form is also cultivated for its pretty foliage. Syn. Calestina. Agglomerate. Collected into a heap or head. Aglai/a. From Aglaia, one of the Graces. Nat. Ord. Meliacee. A genus of evergreen trees or shrubs, hav- ing very small flowers, borne in axillary pani- cles. The leaves are showy and finely divided. It contains about nineteen species, natives of China, and the Malay and Pacific Islands. A. odorata has small yellow flowers, very sweet- scented, said to be used by the Chinese to scent their teas. Aglamo'rpha. From aglaos, beautiful, and moy- pha, aform. ‘Nat. Ord. Polypodiacee. A. Meyeniana, the only species. is a beauti- ful herbaceous Fern, a native of the Philip- pine Islands. It is propagated by division or from spores, and requires the same treatment as Polypodiwm, under which genus it is in- cluded by some authors. Aglaone'ma. From aglaos, bright, and nema, a thread ; supposed to refer to the shining sta- mens. Nat. Ord. Aroidee. A genus of stove-house plants, allied’ to Arum, with entire leaves and white fragrant flowers. Agnes, St., Flower. See Leucojum. Agno’stus. A synonym of Stenocarpus, which see. Ago’nis. From agon, a gathering, a collection; in allusion to the number of the seeds. Nat. Ord. Myriacew. A genus of evergreen shrubs or small trees, natives of Western Australia. The flowers are white, rather small, in dense globose axil- lary, or terminal heads. The species are still rare in cultivation, and will undoubtedly prove hardy south of Washington. Propagated by cuttings. Agrimo’nia. Agrimony. A corruption of Arge- mone. Nat. Ord. Rosacee. A small genus of yellow-flowered, weedy plants, common throughout the United States. The larger flowered, or common Agrimony, is a native of Europe, but has become pretty generally naturalized. They are plants of but little interest. s Agroste’mma. Rose Campion. From agros, a field, and stemma, a crown; referring to the beauty of the flower. Nat. Ord. Caryophyl- lace. A. coronaria is a hardy perennial, introduced from Russia in 1834. Suitable for border plants, their showy white and red flowers con- trasting finely with shrubbery. Propagated by division of roots or by seeds. A. cali-rosea, or Rose of Heaven, is a favorite annual spe- cies, with delicate rose, white or purple flow- ers. It should be grown in groups. 14 HENDERSON’S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS AGR Agro’stis. Bent Grass, Red Top. This is the Greek name for all grasses, from agros, a field. Nat. Ord. Graminacee. A well-known genus of grasses, including A. canina, the Rhode Island Bent Grass; A. stolonifera, the Creeping Bent Grass, and A. vulgaris, the common Ked Top. These species have all been introduced from Europe, but are now thoroughly naturalized in this country. A. pulchella and A. nebulosa are both very del- icate, feather-like annual grasses, valuable for bouquet-making and for winter decorative purposes. Ague Root. A common name for Aletris farinosa. Ague Tree. Laurus Sassafras. Ague Weed, Indian. Eupatorium perfoliatum. Aila’ntus. From ailanto, Tree of Heaven, refer- ring to its lofty growth. Nat. Ord. Xantho- xylacee. Deciduous trees of rapid growth, natives of China. They were at one time extensively planted as street trees, and should not now be so generally discarded, as they will thrive well in cities and barren soils, making a beautiful shade tree, as well as valuable timber. The only objection that has ever been made to them is the unpleasant odor of their flowers. That objection can be easily avoided. This tree is dioecious, and is rapidly increased by root-cuttings. By taking cuttings from the female plant, the flowers of which are inodor- ous, they can be increased to any extent. Aira. Hair Grass. The Hair Grass is named from the Greek, and signifies to destroy; but why it has received this unwelcome name is apparently uncertain. Nat. Ord. Graminacea. There are several species common tv this country and Europe. A. cespitosais typical of the genus, a very handsome Grass, the flowers of which are well adapted for decoration, being very graceful. It wili flourish in almost any situation, but prefers damp fields, where it | forms large tufts, known as ‘‘hassocks,” and as itis not eaten by cattle except when nothing else can be procured, a field in which it abounds has a singularly unsightly, and to farmers un- welcome appearance. Air Plants. These are plants that grow on trees, or other objects, and not in the earth, deriving their nutriment from the atmosphere. The term was formerly, and is still to some extent, applied to epiphytal Orchids. There are, however, many other families of air plants. ‘The class is to be distinguished from the various parasites that have no roots in the earth, but derive their nourishment di- rectly from the plants on which they grow. Aito/nia. In honor of W. Aiton, once Head Gardener at Kew. Nat. Ord. Meliacee. A small and interesting evergreen shrub from the Cape of Good Hope, bearing pink flowers. Introduced in 1777. A’jax. A subdivision of the genus Narcissus, including the common Daffodil, and other spe- cies having a long trumpet-shaped coronet to the flowers. Aju’ga. Bugle. From a, privative, and zugon, a yoke; in reference to the calyx being one- leaved. Nat. Ord. Labiate. A small genus of hardy annual and peren- nial herbaceous plants. A. reptans (common Bugle) has been introduced into the garden, ALE and given a position in massing and ribbon borders of plants for its dark-colored foliage. The species were at one time highly esteemed for the medicinal properties they were sup- posed to possess. ‘‘Ruellus writeth that they commonly said in France, howe he needeth neither physician nor surgeon that hathe Bugle and Sanicle, for it not only cureth woundes, being inwardly taken, but also applied to them outwardly.”—Gerarde. They are propagated readily from seed. Akaz'za. The name of an ordeal poison used in the Gaboon country, supposed to be the product of a species of Strychnos. Ake’bia. The name it bears in Japan. Nat. Ord. Lardizabalacee. A. quinata was introduced from China, in 1844, by Robert Fortune. It is a hardy climber, of rapid growth, suitable for large arbors or trellises, in sunny or shady situa- tions. It will twine around old trees, com- pletely covering the branches, from which it will hang in graceful festoons. The color of the flower is dark brown, and it is very sweet- scented. In a light, rich soil it will grow to the height of thirty feet. It is propagated readily by layering or cuttings. 2 Alatus. Furnished with a thin wing or expan- sion. Albi/zzia. Named after an Italian. Nat. Ord. Leguminose. A small genus of ornamental green-house plants, very like Acacias, to which they are often referred. The plant so well known as Acucia lophantha is placed under this genus. Albu'ca. From albus, white, referring to the prevalence of white flowers in the genus (not a very happy allusion, though, because the flowers are mostly green). Nat. Ord. Liliaceae. This is a genus of but little beauty, closely allied to the Ornithogalum, introduced from the Cape of Good Hope abuut 1750. They are tender bulbous plants, easily cultivated in the green-house, grown in pots in light, sandy soil. They flower in May and June. Albumen. The matter that is interposed be- tween the skin of a seed and the embryo. It is of a farinaceous, oily or horny con- sistency, and surrounds the embryo wholly or in part, and affords nourishment to the young plant during the earliest stages of germination. Alburnum. Thewhite and softer part of wood, between the inner bark and heart-wood, com- monly known as sap-wood; the young woud before it comes to a proper consistence. Alchemi'lila. A genus of herbaceous annual or perennial plants, belonging to the natural or- der Rosacew. All thespecies have lobed leaves and inconspicuous yellow or greenish flowers. A. vulgaris, the common Lady’s Mantle, is fre- quent in English woods and wet pastures, Alder. See Alnus. Alder, Black. The popular name for Prinos verticilluta. : Alder, Red. Cunonia Capensis. Alder, White. The popular name for Clethra alnifolia. Ale-cost. An old English name for Pyrethrum Tanacetum, commonly known as Balsamita vul- garis, the Costmary of Gardens. AND GENERAL HORTICULTURE. 15 ALF Ale'tris. Colic-root. Star-grass. From aletron, meal; referring to the powdery appearance of the whole plant. Nat. Ord. Hamodoracee. There are but two species included in this genus, both natives of the United States, and pretty generally distributed. A. farinosa is highly esteemed for its medicinal properties, and is a very pretty plant for the border. It is a herbaceous perennial, the leaves growing in a close tuft, from which arises a flower-stem from one to three feet high, terminating in a spiked raceme of small, white, oblong; bell- i flowers. Propagated by division or by seeds. Aleuri/tes. From the Greek word, signifying flour, all the parts of the plant seeming to be dusted with it. Nat. Ord. Huphorbiacee. A. triloba is a handsome evergreen tree, with small white clustered flowers. Itis a native of the Moluccas and the Southern Pacific Islands, andiscommonlycultivated in tropical countries for the sake of its nuts, which, when dried, are stuck on a reed and used as candles, and as an article of food in New Georgia. It is of easy culture, and is propagated freely by cut- tings. Aleurito’pteris. A genus of Ferns, now joined with Cheilanthes. Alfalfa or Lucerne (Medicago Sativa). Though this has been a favorite forage plant in some parts of the Old World for hundreds of years, it-is not surprising that in a country so wide- spread and diversified as the United States, a crop that is so valued in some localities is un- known in others. The great value of Alfalfa is in its enormous yield of sweet and nutritious forage, which is highly relished by stock either when green or cured into hay. It will grow and yield abun- dantly in hot, dry sections, and on poor, light and sandy land, where no grasses can be grown, for it sends its roots down to enormous depths, they having been found in sandy soil 13 feet long; consequently it con- sumes food, moisture, and the leach of fer- tilizers from depths entirely beyond the action of drought or heat, and which have been for years beyond the reach of ordinary plants. Alfalfa greatly enriches the svil even more than ordinary Clovers, as it derives a very large portion of nutritive material from the atmosphere. It aérates the land to a great depth, and a large portion of its great fleshy roots, equalling small carrots in size, annually decay from the outside and keep growing larger from the center, and are constantly increasing the fertility of the ground. Alfalfa is not considered perfectly hardy in our more Northern States, yet experiments made by some of our Northern Agricultural Experimental Stations prove it of more value North than previously supposed. The soil best suited for the growth of Alfalfa is that which is deep and sandy; hence the soil of Florida and many other portions of the cotton belt is eminently fitted for its culture. When Alfalfa is to be grown on a large scale, to get at the best results, the ground chosen should be high and level. or ifnot high, such asis entirely free from under water. Drainage must be as nearly perfect as possivle—either naturally or artificially. This in fact is a primary necessity for every crop—unless it be such as is aquatic or sub-aquatic. ALF Deep plowing, thorough harrowing and level- ing with that valuable implement,the ‘‘smooth- ing harrow,” to get a smooth and level surface, are the next operations. This should be done in the Southern States from Ist to 2Uth October—or at such season in the fall as would be soon enough to ensure a growth of four or five inches before the season of growth stops. Draw outlines on the prepared land twenty inches apart (if for horse culture, but if for hand culture fourteen inches), and two or three inches deep. These lines are best made by what market gardeners call a ‘‘marker,” which is made by nailing six tooth-shaped pickets six or eight inches long at the required distance apart to a three by four inch joist, to which a handle is attached —which makes the marker or drag. The first tooth is set against a garden line drawn tight across the field, the marker is dragged back- wards by the workman, each tooth marking a line; thns the six teeth mark six lines, if the line is set each time; but it is best to place the end tooth of the marker in a line already made, so that in this way only five lines are marked at once, but it is quicker to do this than move the line. The lines being marked out, the seed is sown by hand or by seed-drill, at the rate of eight to twelve pounds per acre. After sowing—-and this rule applies to all seeds if sown by hand—the seed must be trodden in by walking on the lines, so as to jrress the seed down into the drills. After treading in, the ground must be levelled by raking with a wooden or steel rake along the lines length- ways—not across. That done, it would be ad- vantageous to use a roller over the land so as to smooth the surface and further firm the seed, but this is not indispensable. When seeds are drilled in by machine, the wheel presses down the soil on the seed, so that treading in with the feet is not necessary. After the seeds germinate so as to show the rows, which will be in from two to four weeks, according to the weather, the ground must be hoed between, and this is best done by some light wheel-hoe, if by hand, such as the, “Planet, Jr.” On light sandy soil, such as in Florida, a man could with ease run over two or three acres per day. The labor entailed in this method of sowing Alfalfa in drills is somewhat greater than when sown broadcast in the usual way of grasses and clover, but there is no question that it is by far the best and most profitable plan, for it must be remem- bered that the plantis a hardy perennial, and is good for a crop for eight to ten years. More- over, the sowing in drills admits of the crop being easily fertilized, if itis found necessary to do so; as all that is necessary is to sow bone dust, superphosphates, or other concentrated fertilizer between the rows, and then stiritinto the soil by the use of the wheel-hoe. Because Alfalfa flourishes on poor and worn out lands, it should not be thought unadapted to good soils. In the latter, its yield almost exceeds belief. At the New Jersey State farm, seed of it sown, April 28th, in drills, and the plants cultivated, had grown forty inches tall, when cut on July 7th, 70 days from sow- ing, yielding (green) 7% tons per acre; the second cutting made on August 18th, yielded (green) 84/ tons per acre; the third cutting was made September 27th, and yielded (green) 46 tons per acre; a total of 20 tons of green 16 HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS ALG fodder per acre the first year sown, which would equal at least five tons of cured hay. If sown on light, dry soils during a dry spell, or if sown broadcast, not much, if any, crop can be expected the first year, as the roots have to get a vigorous hold of the soil; the second year it can (if sown under such conditions) be cut two or three times, but it is not until the third year that it develops into full vigor, and after that it yields magnificent crops for ten or fifteen years. Alfalfa will not flourish on land where water stands a short distance below the surface, nor in heavy, sticky clays. It attains its highest perfection on mellow, well-drained or rolling Jand where water readily passes away. A'lgz. A large and important tribe of Crypto- gamia, the greater part of which live either in salt or fresh water. They are related on the one hand to Funguses, and on the other to Lichens their distinctive characters being more easily derived from their respective habits, than from differences of structure. Some of the species, as the Dulse and Pepper Dulse, are edible and are used in Britain as a condiment, while the Carrageen or Irish Moss, besides its value in eattle-feeding when boiled and mixed with other nutritious matters, forms an excellent dessert something like curds when boiled in milk. Alge, best known as ‘‘Sea.weed,” have long been used as manure by the farmers along the coasts of Long Island, New England, etc., im- mense quantities being thrown ashore in the fall of the year. It is generally composted with barn yard manure and is often used as a covering for Strawberries and Asparagus for winter. Algaro’ba Bean, or Carob. The fruit of Cer- atonia Siliqua, which see. Alha’gi. The Arabic name of the plant. Nat. Ord. Leguminosae. A small genus of shrubby plants, with simple leaves and spiny flower-stalks, inhabit- ing Southern Asia and Western Africa. A manna-like substance is produced from some of these plants in Persia and Bokhara, and is collected by merely shaking the branches. The secretion is supposed by some to be iden- tical with the Manna by which the Israelites were miraculously fed. Ali/sma. Water Plantain. A. Plantago var. Americana, is a native aquatic with small white or rose-colored flowers, arranged in a loose, compound, many-flowered panicle. Alisma’cez. A small order of aquatic or marsh plants, with three-petaled flowers, on leafless scapes, and simple, radicalleaves. The genera best known are Alisma, Butomus and Sagit- taria. A/Ikanet, or Hoary Puccoon. The common name of Lithospermum canescens; also, a name applied to the roots of Anchusa tinctoria, ex- tensively used as a dye, which is also called “alkanet.” Allama’nda. Named in honor of Dr. Allamand, of Leyden. Nat. Ord. Apocynacee. This genus consists principally of handsome climbing green-house shrubs. A. Schottii, a native of Brazil, produces immense numbers of large, funnel-shaped flowers, which are of a full yellow, with a deeper yellow throat. A. ALO nobilis, A. Chelsont and other species are all most desirable flowering plants for green- house decoration. They delight in a warm, moist situation, and should have a light, fibrous soil. Propagated by cuttings. First introduced from Brazil in 1846. Allanto'dia. From allantos, a sausage ; in refer- ence to the cylindrical form of the indusium. A genus of Ferns now reduced to one species, A. Brunoniana, which is a very pretty plant, with fronds one to two feet in length. Itisa native of the Himalayas, at an elevation of 6,000 feet, and is of easy culture in the.green- house. Syn. Asplenium Javanicum. Alleghany Vine. See Adlumia. All-Heal. Valeriana officinalis. Alligator Apple. See Anona palustris. Alligator Pear. See Persea gratissima. Alligator Wood. The timber of Guarea grandi- folia, a West Indian tree. A'llium. From the Celtic all, meaning hot or burning; referring to the well-known qualities of the genus. Nat. Ord. Liliaceae. Of the one hundred and fifty species of this tribe, but few are considered ornamental; in- deed, the family, probably from prejudice, has been much neglected, where many far less showy plants have found favor. .A. Moly pro- duces large trusses of golden yellow flowers in June. A. Neapolitanum is a fine species, bearing pure white flowers in a large umbel. The former is perfectly hardy, and worthy a place in the garden. The latter is tender, re- quiring the protection of the green-house. Propagated readily by offsets. The various species of Allium, as Onion, Leek, Garlic, Chives, etc., are described’ under their respective names. Allople’ctus. A small genus of interesting green-house shrubs, belonging to the order Gesneracee, and requiring the same treatment. Alloso'rus. From allos, diverse, and soros, a heap; in allusion to the changing of the sori. Nat. Ord. Polypodiacee. Asmall genus of very beautiful dwarf Ferns. A. crispus, a British Fern, sometimes called the Mountain Parsley Fern, is a beautiful plant for rockeries. Two or three exotic spe- cies are favorites in the green-house. They are propagated from spores. Allspice. Carolina. Calycanthus floridus. Allspice-Tree. See Pimenia. Almond. See Amygdatus communis. Almond, Double-Plowering, Dwarf.