19 



flowers, wliich grow in ramose spikes, aiul are of a pure white; these 

 come out in May, and are succeeded by black shining berries about 

 the size of peas, which ripen in autumn. 



There is a variety of this jihmt with white berries, and another in 

 which they are of a red colour. 



'I'he second kind has large compound leaves, -which rise imme- 

 diately from the root, and are branched after the same manner 

 with the fust. The flower-slems frequently rise to the height of 

 four or five feet or more. The flowers are while, in a long spike, 

 reflex at the top. It flowers in June, or the beginning of July, 

 but does not perfect seed in this climate. It is a native of North 

 America, where it is often distinguished by the title of Black Snake- 

 root. 



Culture. — The propagation of these plants may be easily effected 

 by sowing the seed on a shady border of common earth in the au- 

 tumn, as soon as they are taken from the plants, as when the sowing 

 is deterred till the spring they are liable to remain in the soil until 

 the same time in the following year before they come up, and much 

 time is lost. From the irregular manner in which the j)lants mostly 

 appear, the mould of the beds should be as little as possible disturbed, 

 lest they be destroyed. When fully grown in the succeeding au- 

 tunm, they may be transplanted into the situations where they are 

 to renuiin, which sliould be rather shadv. 



The seeds of the sect)nd species are mostly s^^nt annually from 

 America, and should be put into the ground as soon as possible after 

 they arrive. 



As these plants rise to a considerable height, and aie ornamented 

 with leaves on the lower part of the stems, and with handsome spikes 

 of flowers on the upper parts, they are well suited ibr adorning the 

 common compartments and clumps of pleasure-grounds, especially 

 where there is a dc"ree of shade without the inconveniences of large 

 trees; and also in the intervals between large shrubs in conspicuous 

 situations, where, from their hardy nature, they will only require the 

 same treatment as them. 



