298 PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



Sequoia gigantca, is supposed to grow to a larger size than any other tree 

 indigenous to Europe or America, and is only excelled in size by a few 

 species of the Eucalyptus in Australia. Propagated by seeds, which 

 should be sown in a half-shady position, lightly covered, and kept moist 

 until the plants appear ; then some care is required to prevent damping 

 off in warm weather, although watering must not be neglected. Only 

 moderate heat is necessary to insure a healthy growth. A temperature 

 of from fifty to sixty degrees will prove to be far better than a higher 

 one. These trees may also be propagated by layers and cuttings, treated 

 the same as usual with the common Arbor- vitae, Yews and Junipers. 

 The Sequoia* thrive best in a rather moist soil, and in what is usually 

 termed a moist, cool climate. S. sempervirens is the valuable Red-wood. 



Sheperdia (Buffalo Berry). A genus of three North American 

 deciduous shrubs or small trees, found only in the cool regions of the 

 Northwest. The largest-growing and most valuable species (8. argentea), 

 is found in northern New Mexico and northward to Alaska ; in the latter 

 country, I am informed by correspondents, the fruit is gathered in im- 

 mense quantities by the Indians for use in winter. The fruit is of a 

 bright scarlet color, resembling small currants, juicy, rather acid, but 

 pleasant flavored. This species succeeds perfectly in this latitude ; 

 I raised plants from seed gathered on the Upper Missouri thirty years 

 ago ; they are still alive ; and the pistillate plants seldom fail to bear 

 a good crop* of fruit. The flowers being dioecious, it is necessary to have 

 trees of both sexes growing near together, in order to insure the produc- 

 tion of fruit on the pistillate or female plants. Prop'agated by seeds, 

 which should be removed from the ripe fruit, find either sown ir the fall, 

 or mixed with sand, kept cool and moist during the winter, and then 

 sown in the spring in a half-shady place, as the young seedlings are 

 rather sensitive to the direct rays of the sun in this climate. 



Sktmmia. A genus of evergreen shrubs from Japan, closely allied 

 to the Evergreen Barberries (Bcrbens), but with white, sweet-scented 

 flowers, succeeded by bright red berries. Not quite hardy in this lati- 

 tude. Propagated by layers, or cuttings planted under glass. 



Sophora.A. genus of about twenty-five species of leguminous trees, 

 shrubs or herbs, mostly native of warm countries. There are two or 

 three evergreen shrubby species found in Texas and Mexico, and one in 

 Arizona and California. The species most highly valued in cultivation 

 is the S. Japonica and its numerous varieties, all moderately hardy in our 

 Northern States. The latter are propagated by seeds, layers, and by 

 grafting. The pendulous-branched and variegated-leaved varieties are 

 grafted on stocks of the species in the open air in spring. Tender vari- 

 eties and species may be increased by cuttings taken from plants forced 

 under glass. 



Spiraea (Meadow-Sweet, Bridal Wreath). A genus of a half hundred 

 species, mostly native of temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. 

 They are mostly low-growing deciduous shrubs, a few with persistent 



