A r alia. 59 



when they will shoot vigorously. If the effect of a full- 

 grown specimen be desired, the shrubbery is the place 

 for it. = A. japonica {Hort.). 



*Aralia edulis. — This is a vigorous herbaceous per- 

 ennial, well suited for those positions in which we 

 desire a luxuriant type of vegetation. It is perfectly 

 hardy, is of a fresh and vigorous habit, and grows 6, 7, 

 and even 8 ft. high in good soil, even so early as the end 

 of June. The leaves attain a length of nearly a yard 

 when the plant is strong, while the shoots droop a little 

 with their weight, and thus it acquires a slightly weeping 

 character. It is rare in this country now, but, being easily 

 propagated, may, it is to be hoped, not long prove so. 

 As it dies down rather early in autumn, it must not be 

 put in important groups, but rather in a position where 

 its disappearance may not be noticed. An isolated 

 position, or one near the margin of an irregular shrub- 

 bery, fernery, or rough rockwork by the side of a wood 

 walk, will best suit it. Japan. Division. 



*Aralia japonica. — A valuable species, quite distinct 

 from any of the others, with undivided, fleshy, dark-green 

 leaves. It is usually treated as a green-house plant, but 

 is hardy and makes a very ornamental and distinct- 

 looking shrub on soils with a dry porous bottom. It 

 grows remarkably well in the dwelling-house ; in fact it 

 is one of the very few plants of like character that will 

 develop their leaves therein in winter. Not difficult to 

 obtain, it may be used with advantage in the flower- 

 garden or pleasure-ground among medium-sized plants 

 — say those not more than a yard high. It would 

 form striking isolated specimens on the turf, and is also 



