334 PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



should be stored in a warm, dry place in winter. New varieties are 

 raised from seed, which should be soaked in warm or tepid water for a 

 day or two before sowing. 



Scrophulariacece (Figwort Family). A very large and widely dis- 

 tributed order of herbs, shrubs, and occasionally trees. The flowers are 

 usually two-lipped, and with an irregular monopetalous corolla. An- 

 tirrhinum (Snapdragon), Calceolaria (Lady's Slipper), Chelone (Turtle- 

 head), Digitalis (Foxglove), JUaurandia, including Lophospcrmwn, JMimu- 

 lus (Monkey Flower), and Pcntstemon, t.re well-known representatives of 

 this family. Varieties are easily raised from seeds, and are then propa- 

 gated by cuttings of the succulent shoots planted under glass ; or, with 

 the hardy genera, by dividing the roots when the plants are at rest. 



Solanacece (Nightshade Family). A very large order, mostly herbs, 

 with rank-scented foliage, often containing narcotic or poisonous proper- 

 ties, as in Nwotiana (Tobacco), Atropa (Belladonna), and Datura (Stram- 

 onium). Several genera have given us very valuable economic plants, 

 such as the Tomato, Egg Plant, Pepper ( Capsicum), Potato, and Tobacco. 

 Among those genera cultivated principally for ornamental purposes, the 

 Petunias, Nierembergias and Ccstrums, are the most common in gardens 

 and greenhouses. They are readily propagated by green cuttings under 

 glass, and the tuberous rooted by divisions. The best and most simple 

 method of perpetuating varieties of the Tomato is by cuttings, which 

 strike root very readily in frames during the summer or in the green- 

 house in winter. 



Umbelliferce (Parsley Family). A large family, mostly innoxious, 

 biennial or perennial herbs, but a few are poisonous, such as the 

 Poison Hemlock ( Conium maculatum), the Water Hemlock ( Cicuta macu- 

 lata), and the Water Parsnip (Sium lincare). But this family contains 

 many genera of great economic value, such as the common garden 

 Carrot, Caraway, Coriander, Fennel, and Parsnip. The cultivation and 

 propagation of these plants are too well known to be considered in a 

 work of this kind. 



Urttcacece (Nettle Family). A large order of several sub-families, 

 such as the Elm family, Fig family, etc. The true Nettles are annual 

 or perennial herbs with a fibrous bark, as in the Bxhmeria nivea, or 

 Ramie plant, of China, which yields one of the most valuable of textile 

 fibers, and is woven into grass cloth. It is not hardy in our Northern 

 States, but is now being extensively cultivated in our Southern. It is 

 propagated by seed, cuttings of the young shoots and of the subter- 

 ranean stems. The Hop plant also belongs to this family, and is 

 usually propagated by dividing the roots, or by removing the young 

 sprouts with a few roots attached. 



Valertnacece (Valerian Family). A small order of herbs, and only 

 a few genera represented among cultivated plants. The common garden 

 Valerian ( Valerianaofflcinalis), is usually cultivated as a medicinal plant; 

 its flowers are very sweet scented, and its roots have a very strong odor. 



