SELECT LISTS OF PLANTS. 253 



high ; all producing edible and pleasant-tasting fruit. Propagated by 

 seeds, layers or cuttings of the ripe roots. The dwarf varieties, when 

 grafted on tall stocks of the larger growing kinds, form handsome, small, 

 round-headed trees. 



Amorpha (Lead Plant, Indigo Shrub). A genus of a few species of 

 hardy shrubs, all natives of North America. There are several local 

 forms or varieties in cultivation. Propagated by seeds, layers, sprouts 

 and ripe wood cuttings, taken off early in the fall and planted in a half 

 shady position, and left undisturbed until the following autumn. 



Amygdalus (Almond). Shrubs and trees of Almond or Plum ge- 

 nus, or Prunus of most of the modern botanical works. Propagated by 

 seeds or by grafting and budding on Almond, Peach and Plum stocks. 

 The Dwarf Double Flowering Almond (A. nana), is readily propagated 

 by cuttings of the larger roots, made in autumn and stored in sand or 

 moss in a cool cellar until spring, then sown in drills and covered about 

 two inches deep with light soil. These dwarf varieties may also be 

 budded on Peach or Plum stocks, and if the buds are set three to four 

 feet from the ground, very elegant littlo trees may be produced. Plum 

 stocks are preferable to the Peach, as the latter are liable to be attacked 

 by the Peach tree borer. 



Andromeda. Neat little shrubs several of the species evergreen 

 nearly all quite hardy in our Northern States, although some are natives 

 of the South. Propagated by seeds sown in very light soil and in seed- 

 pans or shallow boxes, kept shaded and constantly moist until the plants 

 appear, then removed to a position where they will receive more light. 

 The Andromedas may also be propagated by layers ; but these produce 

 roots slowly, and it usually requires two years to secure well-rooted 

 specimens. Nurserymen usually obtain their stocks from the native 

 habitats of the species, as the young plants may be transplanted with- 

 out much loss. 



Anona (Custard Apple). Trees and shrubs mostly tropical, some of 

 the species bearing highly-prized and delicious fruit, like the Cherimoyer 

 (A. cJierimolia), Sour-sop (A. muricata), and Sweet-sop (A. squamosa), of 

 the West Indies and South America. Propagated by seeds placed in a 

 moist and high temperature, and by cuttings of the mature wood under 

 glass and with bottom heat. 



Aralia. A genus of the order Araliacece, containing numerous 

 species of trees and shrubs, and a few herbaceous plants. Among the 

 ligneous section the American Angelica tree or Hercules Club (A. spin- 

 osa), is perhaps the most common in our gardens. The Chinese Aralia 

 (A. Chinensis), is a closely allied species, and moderately hardy when 

 grown in a rather dry, open soil. The recently introduced Mandchu- 

 rian Aralia (A. Mandchuricus, or dimot'phanthus of some authors), is as 

 hardy as our indigenous species, and is a shrub worthy of the attention 

 of apiarians, as it blooms profusely and its flowers yield a large amount 

 of honey. All of the hardy, shrubby species, and some of the tender 



