144 THE DICTIONARY 
OF GARDENING, 
Atragene—continued. 
leaflets stalked, cordate, lanceolate, acuminated, entire or some- 
what lobed, or serrated. North America, 1797. SYN. Clematis 
A. austriaca (Austrian). Synonymous with A alpina. 
A. macropetala (large-petaled).* fl. blue. Manchuria, 1870. 
A. sibirica (Siberian). Synonymous with A. alpina. 
ATRIPLEX (from a, not, and traphein, to nourish). 
Orach. ORD. Chenopodiacee. A genus of, for the most 
part, uninteresting weeds, of very variable form and habit, 
and having the calyx, which encloses the fruit, enlarging 
after flowering. For culture, see Orach. 
A. hortensis (garden). An annual species from Tartary, of no 
value as an ornamental xs but considered a very desirable 
substitute for spinach. e leaves must be gathered for use when 
pue The variety A. h. atro-sanguinea is a very pretty 
orm, having handsome crimson leaves, and growing to a height 
of about 4ft. It is well worth growing with such plants as 
Amaranthus, &e. 
ATROPA (name of mythological origin). Belladonna; 
Dwale. ORD. Solanacew. A small genus, having a cam- 
panulate regular corolla, and a leafy persistent calyx. The 
berries of this native herbaceous perennial are exceed- 
ingly poisonous. The plant is of no horticultural value. 
Fia. 190. FLOWER OF ATROPA BELLADONNA. 
A. jl. green and purple, solitary, pedunculate, 
drooping. Summer, Berries about the ‘size of a dal cherry. 
l. ovate, acuminate, 4in. to 8in` long. h. 2ft. to 4ft. Britain. 
See Fig. 190. 
ATTALEA (from attalus, magnificent; referring to the 
a beauty of the genus). ORD. Palmaceæ. A genus of hand- 
~ some stove palm trees, distinguished from other genera in 
having the pinnæ arranged vertically, and not horizontally. 
The leaves spring up almost perpendicularly at the base, 
but in the upper part arch over. The pinne stand at right 
- angles to the rachis—which is very narrow in proportion to 
_ its thickness—and while those of the lower side of the arch 
hang straight down, those of the upper side point straight 
up. They thrive well in a mixture of peat and loam in 
equal quantities, and enjoy a copious supply of water. 
‘Summer temperature, 65deg. to 80deg.; winter, 55deg. to 
60deg. All the species are robust trees; but, although 
several have been introduced, few appear to be generally 
(Almond-fruited).* l —— 3ft. to 6ft. long; 
næ 12in. to 18in. long, and about lin. broad ; terminal lobe 
road and bifid, rich dark green. New Grenada, 
the best. SYN. A. nucifera. 
B (Cohune).* Z. erect, ultimately spreading, pinnate, 
with from three to four dozen dark green pinnæ, some- 
Stem slender. 
in length ; petioles rounded, and dark brown below, 
| upon the side. Plant unarmed, A. 50ft. or 
‘native habitat.’ Honduras. 
. h. 22ft. Brazil, 1820. 
Cineando enoa tape m n ts? 
hae ele the ental, an economi ue in zi ; 
fringe, Which is pref piao pear Ge aasa bolak eam 
g). A synonym of A. amygdalina. 
A. nucifera (nut-be 
A. speciosa (showy).* h. 70ft. Brazil, 1825. 
A. spectabilis (remarkable). h. 70ft. Brazil, 1824. 
ATTENUATED. Tapering gradually to a point, 
AUBERGINE, or EGG PLANT (Solanum melon- 
gena, variety ovigerwm). These plants, besides being use- 
ful for culinary purposes, are very ornamental, and present 
_ an attractive appearance on walls or trellises, or in the 
flower garden; and, as they do well in any ordinary rich 
Yaziation to the general run of planta nsed for 
| remove all but the best one on the plant, and, by careful 
` purposes as in France and Italy, where they are largely 
garden soil; if the position is warm, they give a good — 
Aubergine—continued. 
effects. The Black-fruited kind is particularly suited for 4 
this purpose. Sow the seeds in a gentle heat, in the q 
middle of April. As soon as the seedlings are large enough 
to handle, prick off into 4in. pots, replacing in heat till they 
root out freely. Gradually harden off by June, and then 
transfer to the positions where they are to grow. Let 
the plants be at least 2ft. apart, and place a strong stick to 
each one to support the fruit when it comes. For trellises, 
select the more moderate-sized varieties. In hot, dry 
Fic. 191. FRUITING BRANCH OF ROUND AUBERGINE. 
weather, the application of liberal supplies of liqnid manure ~ 
tends to increase the size of the fruit, and also to make the 
foliage more vigorous and handsome. Where very large 
fruit are needed for show or other purposes, it is well to 
feeding with liquid manure, specimens of from 101b. to 121b. 
weight can be had. The foliage should not be pinched, as 
Fic. 192. FRUITING BRANCH OF LONG AUBERGINE, 
this would prevent the free swelling of the fruit. Auber- 
gines are not so much grown in England for culinary | 
nsed in stews and soups. The following are the most 
desirable varieties: New York Purple, tho largest ‘4 
grown, and although not as ornamental as the next, is quite 
as useful; Black-fruited, large black fruit, with blackish 
violet leaves; and White-fruited, the sort most generally 
cultivated. See Figs. 191 and 192. 
