AN ENCYCLOPADIA OF HORTICULTURE. 
SUCCULENT PLANTS. Amongst these are in- 
cluded numerous genera of plants which are extremely 
varied in habit, but mostly all have leaves of a soft, 
succulent nature. Very few are hardy subjects compared 
with those which need glass protection: still, a large 
number require but little artificial warmth. The natural 
order Cactew includes a large proportion of Succulent 
Plants, many being exceedingly curious, and others very 
beautiful. The following are representative genera 
amongst Succulents: Agave, Aloe, Cereus, Cotyledon, 
Crassula, Echinocactus, Epiphyllum, Gasteria, Haworthia, 
Mammillaria, Mesembryanthemum, Opuntia, Phyllocactus, 
Sedum, Sempervivum. For carpet-bedding purposes, 
some of the dwarf Succulents are invaluable—as, for 
example, Sedums, &c. 
SUCCUTA. A synonym of Cuscuta. 
SUCKER. A shoot of underground origin. 
SUCKERING IRON. A garden tool used for re- 
moving suckers from fruit-trees, &c. It consists of a 
narrow, steeled blade, to which a shank and socket are 
attached, wherein to insert a handle somewhat like that 
of a spade. The entire length is about the same as that 
of the latter implement, but the blade is usually only 
6in. long by 3in. broad, at the cutting edge. The handle 
is much shorter, and the shank and socket, combined, 
longer. 
SUCKERS, PROPAGATION BY. 
gation. 
SUFFRUTESCENT. Slightly shrubby. 
SUFFRUTICOSE. Low and shrubby at base. 
See Propa- 
SUGAR BERRY. | The fruit of Celtis occidentalis. 
SUGAR BUSH. A common name for Protea melli- 
fera (which see). 
SUGAR CANE. The popular name for Saccharum 
officinarum (which see). 
SUGAR PEA. A name given to edible-podded 
Peas, See Pea, i 
SUGAR PINE. See Pinus Lambertiana. 
SUKANA. 
SULCATE. 
A synonym of Celosia. 
Furrowed or grooved. 
SULPHUR. An element constantly present in 
protoplasm, though only in a very small amount. It is 
believed to be essential to living beings, and is supposed 
to be taken by plants from the soil, in Sulphate of Cal- 
cium, absorbed in solution by the roots. The sulphate 
is probably broken up on contact with the oxalates that 
are formed during growth, and the Sulphur is built up 
into organic compounds of the protoplasm group. The 
use of Sulphur to plants is, however, uncertain. 
Sulphur as a Remedy. Sulphur is a very useful remedy 
against the attacks of the Mildew Fungi (see Mildew 
and Oidium) that live on the surface of the green 
parts of plants It is used in the form of “Flowers 
of Sulphur,” dusted upon both surfaces of the leaves, 
and of young shoots, by means of a Sulphurator 
(which see). The operation should be performed while 
the plants are still wet with dew. In this way, Sulphur 
is applied to Roses, Hops, Vines, &c., usually twice or 
thrice in a season; but it must be done at such periods 
as will permit of the Sulphur being all washed off any 
part that is afterwards to be made use of in food 
(e.g., Grapes or Hop catkins), before they are gathered. 
The Sulphur destroys the mycelium of such external 
Fungi. Weak solutions of Potassium Sulphide have been 
found to act equally as well as the powder, and are 
now coming into general use. Dusting with Flowers of 
Sulphur is a remedy also sometimes employed against 
larve of Sawflies, and of Moths; and both the powder 
and solutions of Potassium Sulphide are used to destroy 
’ considerable value. 
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525 
Sulphur—continued. 
Green Fly and Red Spider. For the latter, the modes 
of treatment recommended are to syringe the plants, and 
then to scrub as vigorously as may be permitted, or to 
dip the shoots into the solution, which is prepared by 
carefully mixing 4oz. of Sulphide of Calcium with 2oz. 
of soft soap, and then adding hot water up to one gallon 
in all. This solution should be made use of twice or 
thrice, and will be found a most useful application; or 
fluids containing Sulphur, e.g., Gishurst Compound and 
Veitch’s Chelsea Blight Composition, may be employed 
with success. 
SULPHURATOR. An apparatus or appliance for 
distributing Flowers of Sulphur over plants attacked by 
Mildew, &c. It consists of a small bellows with a small 
tin box above the tube, having holes in the bottom. The 
sulphur is placed in this box, and as it shakes through 
into the tube it is expelled, wherever desired, by the 
action of the bellows. 
SULPHURIC ACID, or OIL OF VITRIOL. 
In horticulture, this substance is of little use; for, 
though weak solutions (one part in fifty of water) have 
been used for syringing plants to destroy insect 
pests, it can be employed with safety only for hardy 
subjects ; and there are various solutions preferable 
for use in this way. Sulphuric Acid is largely used 
in the preparation of soluble phosphates for manure. 
The sulphates, or compounds of Sulphuric Acid, are of 
Solutions of Sulphate of Copper 
(Blue Vitriol) and of Sulphate of Soda are employed as 
washes for seeds of Oats, Barley, and other Cereals, to 
cleanse them from spores of the Smut Fungus (Ustilago 
segetum), and also against Bunt (Tilletia caries) in Wheat 
and in Barley. In like manner, Sulphate of Copper 
solution (one ounce to a gallon of water) is a valuable 
insecticide when syringed on plants. 
Sulphates are often used as manures. Sulphate of 
Ammonia, prepared from gas-liquor, by the addition of 
Sulphuric Acid to it, or to the Ammonia that is removed 
from the liquor when steam is forced through it, has 
been found to add largely to crops when given as 
manure. It supplies Nitrogen in a form readily taken 
up by plants; but the amount should not exceed lewt. 
per acre. In the South of England, Sulphate of Lime, 
‘or Gypsum, is frequently used, in quantities of from 
2ewt. to 10cwt. per acre, for Beans, Peas, and other 
leguminous plants, for which it is especially valuable, 
and with which it gives excellent results. In Germany, 
it is used for pastures, and also, to a less amount, for 
other produce. It is mostly burned and reduced to 
powder before being applied. 
SUMACH. See Rhus. 
SUMACH, MYRTLE-LEAVED. A common name 
for Coriaria myrtifolia. 
SUMMER BEDDING. Most people are acquainted 
with this term, which applies to the planting of flower 
beds annually for a display through the summer and 
early autumn. It is usually carried out at the latter 
part of May and through June, the seasons varying a 
little according to locality. In Summer Bedding, Pelar- 
goniums play the most conspicuous part; Alternantheras, 
Calceolarias, Coleus, MHeliotropes, Iresines, Lobelias, 
Pyrethrum (Golden Feather), Verbenas, &c., are also 
largely employed. See also -out. 
SUMMER SNOWFLAKE. ‘ee Leucoium æs- 
tivum. 
SUN-BURNING. A term applied to injuries of 
various parts of plants, attributed, with more or less 
reason, to exposure to the rays of the sun in confined 
spaces, or where the heat is concentrated through glass 
or water, or by reflection from walls or other objects. 
Probably, both heat-rays and light-rays are concerned in 
