AND GENERAL HOKTICULTURE. 



13 



AGA 



disk, it is much valued as an ingredient in 

 winter bouquets. It is a neat plant, and the 

 peculiar color (mazarine blue) is very unusual 

 in this class of plants. Propagated by cut- 

 tings. 



A'gathophy'llum. Madagascar Nutmeg. From 

 agathos, pleasant, and phyllon, a leaf. Nat. 

 Ord. LauracecE. A. aromaticum is a warm 

 green-house evergreen shrub of economic 

 value only. The fruit is aromatic, but en- 

 closes a kernel of an acrid, caustic taste, 

 known as Madagascar Clove Nutmeg. 



Aga've. American Aloe. Century Plant. From 

 agauos, admirable, referring to the stately 

 form in which some of them flower. Nat. 

 Ord. Amaryllidacece. 



This genus is described by B. S. "Wil- 

 liams as follows: "They are noble, mas- 

 sive growing plants, and form magnificent 

 ornaments in the green-house or conserva- 

 tory; whilst, from their slow growth they 

 do not rapidly get too large, even for a 

 small green-house. Indeed some of the real 

 gems of this genus are neat, compact-growing 

 plants, seldom exceeding two feet in height. 

 Besides being fine ornamental plants for in- 

 door decoration, the larger growing kinds are 

 unquestionably the finest objects for the em- 

 bellishment of terrace walks, or surmoimting 

 flights of steps in the open air during the sum- 

 mer season, and also for plunging in rock- 

 work, or about any rustic nooks in the pleas- 

 ure grounds, as, in such situations, they are 

 quite in keeping, and thrive admirably. As 

 is well kno^vn, they attain maturity veiy 

 slowly ; but when this condition is reached, 

 the plant sends up a flower-spike, and after 

 perfecting this, dies." Anumber of the dwarfer 

 growing species, such as A. apjilanata, A. 

 attenuata, A. Celsiana, A.JiUfera, A. Sabniayia. 

 A. VicioricB Regina, and many others, are 

 much used in sub-tropical gardening, and for 

 bedding out on lawns, et'., during summer. 

 A. Americana, is a splendid decorative plant, 

 a native of South America introduced to cul- 

 tivation in 16-40. The varieties with striped 

 foliage are considered the most desirable as 

 ornamental plants. It was at one time a pre- 

 vailing idea that this plant only flowered once in 

 a hundred years ; but this is found now to be a 

 popular error. If given sufficient heat, it will 

 flower when ten or twelve years oki. The 

 flower stem rises from the center of the plant 

 to a height of about thirty feet, bearing an 

 immense number of yellowish-green flowers, 

 after perfecting which the plant perishes. 

 New plants are formed around the base of the 

 old one in the form of suckers. It furnishes 

 a variety of products ; the plants form impen- 

 etrable fences; the leaves furnish fibers of 

 various qualities, from that used in the finest 

 thread to that in the strongest rope cables ; 

 the juice, when the wateiy partis evaporated, 

 forms a good soap, and Mill mix and form a 

 lather with salt water as well as fresh ; a verj' 

 intoxicating drink is also made from the juice, 

 as well as other preparations of a similar 

 nature ; the leaves are made into razor- 

 strops, and are also used in scouring all sorts 

 of culinary utensils. Over one hundred spe- 

 cies have been described, but according to 

 Bentham and Hooker, not over fifty are suf- 

 ficiently distinct to rank as such. They are 



AGE 



distributed over South America, Mexico, and 

 the Southern States. 

 Agera'tum. From a not, and geras, old ; in 

 reference to the flowers being always clear. 

 Nat. Ord. CompositoB. A. Mexicanum, the type 

 of this genus is a well known occupant of our 

 flower borders. It bears a profusion of lilac- 

 blue flowers all season, and is very useful for 

 cutting. Several very dwarf varieties of it 

 have originated under cultivation which are 

 very useful in ribbon and carpet bedding. A 

 variegated form is also cultivated for its 

 pretty foliage. Syn. Calestina. 



Agglomerate. Collected into a heap or head. 



Aglai'a. From Aglaia, one of the Graces. Nat. 

 Ord. MeliacetB. 



A genus of evergreen trees or shrubs, hav- 

 ing very small flowers, borne in axillary pani- 

 cles. The leaves are showj' and finely divided. 

 It contains about nineteen species, natives of 

 China, and the Malay and Pacific Islands. A. 

 odorata has small yellow flowers, very sweet- 

 scented, said to be used by the Chinese to 

 scent their teas. 



Aglamo'rpha. From aglaos, beautiful, and mor- 

 2)ha, a form. Nat. Ord. Polypodiacece. 



A. Meyeniana, the only species, is a beauti- 

 ful herbaceous Fern, a native of the Philip- 

 pine Islands. It is propagated by division or 

 from spores, and requires the same treatment 

 as Polypodium, under which genus it is in- 

 cluded by some authors. 



Aglaone'ma. From aglaon, bright, and nema, a 

 thread ; supposed to refer to the shining sta- 

 mens. Nat. Ord. Aroid4^ce. 



A genus of stove-house plants, allied to 

 Aru7)i, with entire leaves and white fragrant 

 flowers. 



Agnes, St., Flower. See Leucojum. 



Agno'stus. A synonym of Stenocarpiis, which 

 see. 



Ago'uis. From agoii, a gathering, a collection ; 

 in allusion to the immber of the seeds. Nat. 

 Ord. Myrtacece. 



A genus of evergreen shrubs or small trees, 

 natives of Western Australia. The flowers 

 are white, rather small, in dense globose axil- 

 lary, or terminal heads. The species are still 

 rare in cultivation, and will undou]>tedly prove 

 hardy south of Washington. Propagated by 

 cuttings. 



Agrimo'nia. Agrimony. A corruption of Arge- 

 mone. Nat. Ord. RosaceoB. 



A small genus of yellow-flowered, weedy 

 plants, common throughout the United States. 

 The larger flowered, or common Agrimonj', is 

 a native of Europe, but has become pretty 

 generally naturalized. They are plants of but 

 little interest. 



Agroste'mma. Eose Campion. From agros, a 

 field, and strmtna, a crown ; referring to the 

 beauty of the flower. Nat. Ord. Caryophyl- 

 la^ece. 



A. coronaria is a hardy perennial, introduced 

 from Russia in 1834. Suitable for border 

 plants, their showy white and red flowers con- 

 trasting finely with shrubberj'. Propagated 

 by division of i-oots or by seeds. A. ctzli-rosea, 

 or Eose of Heaven, is a favorite annual spe- 

 cies, with delicate rose, white or purple flow- 

 ers. It should be grown in groups. 



