GARDEN FLOWERS. 15 



pretty. Soil, light sandy loam. Propagated by offsets from 

 the bulbs, which should be carefully separated, and planted 

 where they may not be disturbed. In the Northern States, 

 a slight winter protection will be found necessary. 



A. autumnalis (autumnal) ; hardy bulb ; 6 inches ; flowers 

 white and pink, in September; Portugal; 1629. A. grandi- 

 florus (large-flowered) ; hardy bulb ; 6 inches ; flowers white, in 

 August; Numidia ; 1820. A. rosea (rosy); hardy bulb; 6 

 inches ; flowers rose-colored, in August and September ; Corsi- 

 ca; 1820. A. trichophyllus (hair-leaved); 6 inches; flowers 

 white, in early spring ; Spain ; 1820. 



ACONITUM. Monkshood. [Ranunculaceag.] Hardy per- 

 ennials, with showy, curious hood-shaped flowers. Soil, any 

 common loam. Propagated by parting the roots, which is 

 best done after the bloom declines in the autumn. Divide 

 the root into as many pieces as there are hearts to the plant, 

 with a portion of root to each, and plant them in nursery- 

 beds about a foot apart : the plants, however, need not be 

 parted for several years ; for, the larger they spread, the more 

 showy they are. Once in three or four years is often enough 

 to disturb the plant ; and even then, if it be too large, you 

 may cut away some all round to lessen it, without digging 

 the main plant up. Propagated also by seeds. 



Many of the species do well in partially shaded places. 

 All species are poisonous, and possess powerful medical 

 properties. 



There are about one hundred and thirty species, of which 

 about ninety are tuberous-rooted, and the remainder fibrous- 

 rooted. The following are good species : 



A. autumnale (autumnal); hardy perennial; 2 feet; flowers 

 deep-blue, in autumn; China; 1846. A. Chinense (Chinese); 

 hardy perennial ; 2 feet ; flowers purple, in September ; China ; 

 1833. A. Japonicum (Japanese) ; hardy perennial ; 5 feet ; 

 flowers purple, in August ; Japan. A, A T apellus (Monkshood) ; 



