NETTING. For the protection and preservation of 
ripe fruits, seeds, seedling plants, &c., Netting of some 
description is an indispensable article in gardens. That 
made from wire, and afterwards galvanised, is mostly 
used when a permanent protection is needed, such as 
for keeping away ground-vermin from plants and trees 
which are known to be in danger of destruction in con- 
sequence of the bark or the whole plant being eaten. 
Old fish-nets are cheap, and form the best material 
for temporarily protecting fruits, seeds, &c., from the 
ravages of birds. When hung over fruit blossoms, in 
spring, Nets are frequently of great service in warding 
off the effects of frost, and admitting light at the same 
time. Netting of either kind is usually spoken of as 
being of a certain mesh; this signifies the diameter of | 
the holes in it, and forms a guide in selecting for various 
purposes. It will generally last for several years, if taken 
care of, and kept in a dry place when not in use. 
NETTLE. See Urtica. 
NETTLE, DEAD. See Lamium. 
NETTLE-TREE. Sce Celtis. 
NEUBECKIA. Included under Iris. 
NEUBERIA. A synonym of Watsonia (which 
see). 
NEUDORPFIA. A synonym of Nolana (which see). 
NEUMANNIA. Included under Pitcairnia (which 
see). 
NEURODIUM. See Tenitis. 
NEUROLÆNA (from neuron, a nerve, and lena, 
a covering; referring to the three-neryed segments of 
the involucre). Syn. Calea. Orv. Composite. A 
genus comprising a couple of species of tall, stove or 
greenhouse, sub-shrubs, of which one is a native of Co- 
lumbia and the West Indies, and the other of Mexico. 
Flower -heads whitish, small; involucre campanulate; 
bracts three or four-seriate, imbricate, narrow, mem- 
branous, rather obtuse. Leaves alternate, entire, den- 
ticulate, or lower ones three-lobed. Only one species, 
N. lobata, has been introduced. It thrives in a compost 
of loam, leaf mould, and sand, and should be grown in 
a light situation near the glass in a warm greenhouse. 
N. lobata (lobed). f- heads yellow; corymbs heaped. June and 
pis i: sate on e or ovate-lanceolate, cuneate 
below the lo puberulous, scabrous, or tomentose beneath. 
h. 2ft. West Indies, 1733. (B. M. 1734, under the name of Calea 
ta.) 
NEUROPTERA. See Insects. 
ERMA. Included under Momordica 
(which see). 
NEWBOULDIA (named in honour of the Rev. 
W. W. Newbould, one of the most genial and pains- 
taking of British botanists). Syn. Spathotecoma. _ ORD. 
Bignoniacee. A genus comprising three species of 
glabrous stove trees, natives of tropical Africa. Flowers 
pink-violet, in thyrsoid panicles. Leaves, for the most 
part, opposite, sometimes ternately whorled, or slightly 
scattered, pinnate ; leaflets often serrulate. The species 
here described is the only one introduced. For culture, 
i e is hit le, in man 
x 3 -white or purple, y- 
a erid A J. alternate or ter- 
nately-verticillate, impari-pinnate. (B. M. 4537, under name of 
Spathodea levis.) S. pentandra (B. M. 3681) is probably a mere 
form of this species. 
NEW JERSEY TEA. See Ceanothus ameri- 
canus. 
NEW ZEALAND FLAX. See Phormium tenax. 
NEW ZEALAND SPINACH (Tetragonia ez- 
pansa). A hardy or half-hardy annual, intróduced by 
Sir Joseph Banks from New Zealand, where, amongst 
several other places, it is found native. The plants are 
Vol. II. 
/ 
AN ENCYCLOPADIA OF HORTICULTURE, 
: — id Soe 
New Zealand Spinach—continued. 
cultivated in gardens for the use of the young leaves, 
which form a substitute for those of the ordinary Spinach, 
They are, however, of inferior quality when cooked; but, 
as the plants grow very vigorously, do not run to seed, 
and withstand drought much better than the other 
varieties, a few should always be grown in case of a 
substitute being required in summer. They are propa- 
gated by seeds, which are very hard, and should be 
steeped in water before being sown. Sow on a gentle 
hotbed some time in March; protect the seedlings 
afterwards until May, when they may be planted out- 
Fig. 688. BRANCHLET OF NEW ZEALAND SPINACH. 
side. Distances of about 3ft. each way will usually be 
sufficient; a little more space might be allowed in 
extra good soils. New Zealand Spinach prefers a rather 
light rich soil, and succeeds best on a border with southern 
aspect. If the leaves are pinched off, and used when 
young, others will be freely produced, and keep up a 
succession. See Fig. 688. i 
NHANDIROBA. A synonym of Fevillea (which 
see). 
NICANDRA (named after Nicander, of Colophon, 
who lived about 150 A.D., and wrote on medicine and 
botany). Syn. Calydermos. Onp. * — 
typic genus, the species being an erect - branching, 
glabrous, hardy, annual herb. Propagated by seeds, 
sown in the open border. As soon as the seedlings are 
up, they must be planted separately: the plants, being 
large, require a good deal of space. 
N. physaloides nage theres a a A. 2 N 
e j i ; calyx pentagonal, five-parted, 
dae eee Berry fleshy, almost 
-celled, inclosed in the calyx. Leaves petiolate, 
„„ sinnate-dentate, or slightly eek. h. 2ft. 
to Aft. Peru, 1759. (B. M. 2458.) 
NICOTIANA (named after Jean Nicot, 1530-1600, of 
Nismes in Languedoc; he was agent from the King of 
France to Portugal, and introduced tobacco into France). 
Tobacco. ORD. Solanacec. An extensive genus (up- 
wards of fifty species have been described, of which pro- 
bably not more than thirty-five are distinct) of mostly 
greenhouse or half-hardy herbs, sometimes — 
3 M 
