1870.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 25 



same countries as the last, but enjoys rather a wider distribution in 

 northern and central Europe. 



V.- herbacea. — This is a very different and distinct plant from either 

 of the preceding. The branches are herbaceous, and have a very 

 limited extension : they are prostrate, and rarely exceed 9 inches in 

 length. The leaves are narrow, oblong, lanceolate; the flowers are blue 

 or purplish blue, and appear in June, July, and August. This hand- 

 some and distinct plant is best adapted to the rockwork or mixed 

 border, and prefers a light rich dryish loam in moderate shade. Divi- 

 sion and seeds are the most practicable means of propagation. Native 

 of Hungary. 



Amsonla. — This is a genus of hardy herbaceous plants from North 

 America. Without having any very strong claim to be considered 

 beautiful, they have a certain distinction and elegance in their appear- 

 ance that renders them valuable for certain ornamental purposes. 

 They may be introduced among shrubs with very good effect, and they 

 may be planted in open woods where their robust hardy nature will 

 enable them to establish themselves when less vigorous plants would 

 succumb before the encroachments of the native vegetation. Any ordin- 

 ary good soil suits them well, and they are easily propagated by divi- 

 sion or seeds in spring. 



A. angustifolia grows about 2 or 3 feet high, with hairy stems and 

 lanceolate leaves clothing them throughout. The flowers are produced 

 in small panicles in the axils of the upper leaves, are light blue, and 

 appear in July and August. 



A. latifolia is about the same in stature as the last, but the stems 

 are usually destitute of hairs, and the leaves more broadly lanceolate. 

 Flowers blue in the same manner, but the panicles rather fewer 

 flowered, and about the same time. 



A. salicifolia has hairless stems, and very narrow lanceolate leaves 

 attenuated at each end. The flowers are numerous in small panicles 

 in the axils of the upper leaves. They are blue, and appear about the 

 same time as the others. W. S. 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS.-JAITUARY. 



We have repeatedly urged the necessity of thoroughly turning up 

 ground in which seeds are to be sown early; and those who have 

 allowed vacant ground to remain untouched should after this season 

 lose no opportunity in turning up the soil as deep as possible to the 

 pulverising influence of frost. Where we turned up empty space early 



