144 



THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



Atra*< 



acuminated, entire or some- 

 what lobed, or serrated. North America, 1797. STN. Clematis 

 vertidllarU. 



A. austriaca (Austrian). Synonymous with A alpina. 

 A. macropetala flarge-petaled).* fl. blue. Manchuria, 1870. 

 A. sibirica (Siberian). Synonymous with A. alpina. 



ATRIPLEX (from a, not, and traphein, to nourish). 

 OBD. ChenopodiacecB. A genus of, for the moat part, 

 uninteresting weeds, of very variable form and habit, and 

 having the calyx, which incloses the fruit, enlarging after 

 flowering. For culture, see Orach,. 



A. hortensls (garden). Orach ; Sea Purslane. An annual species 

 from Tartary of no value as an ornamental plant, but considered 

 a very desirable substitute for Spinach. The leaves must be 

 gathered for use when young. The variety A. h. atro-tanguinea, 

 is a very pretty form, having handsome crimson leaves, and 

 growing to a height of about 4ft It is well worth growing with 

 such plants as Amarantut, Ac. 



ATROFA (name of mythological origin). Belladonna ; 

 Dwale. OBD. Solanacea. A small genus, having a cam- 

 pannlate regular corolla, and a leafy persistent calyx. The 

 berries of this native herbaceous perennial are exceedingly 

 poisonous. The plant is of no horticultural value. 



FIG. 190. FLOWER OP ATROPA BELLADONNA. 

 A. Belladonna. /. green and purple, solitary, pedunculate, 



drooping. Summer. Berries about the size of a small cherry. 



I ovate, acuminate, 4in. to Sin. long. h. 2ft. to 4ft. Britain. 



See Fig. 190. 



ATTALEA (from attains, magnificent ; referring to 

 the beauty of the genus). OBD. Palmce. A genus of 

 handsome stove Palms, distinguished from other genera in 

 having the pinnae arranged vertically, and not horizontally. 

 The leaves spring up almost perpendicularly at the base, 

 but in the upper part arch over. The pinnae stand at right 

 angles to the rachis which is very narrow in proportion to 

 its thickness and while those of the lower side of the arch 

 hang straight down, those of the upper side point straight 

 up. They thrive well in a mixture of peat and loam in 

 equal quantities, and enjoy a copious supply of water. 

 Summer temperature, 65deg. to SOdeg. ; winter, 55deg. to 

 60deg. All the species are robust trees; but, although 

 several have been introduced, few appear to be generally 



Almond-fruited).* I pinnate, 3ft to 6ft. long ; 

 in. long, and about lin. broad ; terminal lobe 

 and bifid, rich dark green. Stem slender. New Grenada. 

 One of the best SYN. A. nueifera. 



A. Cohune (Cohune).* I. erect, ultimately spreading, pinnate, 

 furnished with from three to four dozen dark green pinnae, some- 

 times 18in. in length ; petioles rounded, and dark brown below, 

 flat and green upon the upper side. Plant unarmed, h. 50ft. or 

 more hi its native habitat. Honduras. 

 A. compta (decked), h. 22ft Brazil, 1820. 

 A. excelsa (tall).* h. 70ft Brazil, 1826. 



deep 



1824. 



A. funifera (rope-bearing). The Piassaba Palm. I. vivid 

 green, very ornamental, and of economic value in Brazil. 

 The sheathing bases of the leafstalks separate into a coarse black 

 fringe, which is collected and exported to Europe, being used in 

 the manufacture of brooms, brushes, &c. 

 A. nueifera (nut-bearing). A synonym of A. amygdalina. 

 A. Bpeeiosa (showy).* h. 70ft Brazil, 1825. 

 A. spectabilis (remarkable), h. 70ft Brazil, 1824. 



ATTENUATED. Tapering gradually to a point. 

 AUBERGINE, or EGO PLANT (Solarium melon- 

 gena, variety ovigerum). These plants, besides being use- 

 ful for culinary purposes, are very ornamental, and present 

 an attractive appearance on walls or trellises, or in the 

 flower garden ; and, as they do well in any ordinary rich 

 garden soil, if the position is warm, they give a good 

 variation to the general run of plants used for decorative 



Aubergine continued. 



effects. The Black-fruited kind is particularly suited for 

 this purpose. Sow the seeds in a gentle heat, in the 

 middle of April. As soon as the seedlings are large enough 

 to handle, prick off into 4in. pots, replacing in heat till they 

 root out freely. Gradually harden off by June, and then 

 transfer to the positions where they are to grow. Let 

 the plants be at least 2ft. apart, and place a strong stick to 

 each one to support the fruit when it comes. For trellises, 

 select the more moderate-sized varieties. In hot, dry. 



FIG. 191. FRUITING BRANCH OP ROUND AUBERGINE. 

 weather, the application of liberal supplies of liquid manure 

 tends to increase the size of the fruit, and also to make the 

 foliage more vigorous and handsome. Where very large 

 fruit are needed for show or other purposes, it is well to 

 remove all but the best one on the plant, and, by careful 

 feeding with liquid manure, specimens of from lOlb. to 121b. 

 weight can be had. The foliage should not be pinched, as 



FIG. 192. FRUITING BRANCH OP LONG AUBERGINE. 

 this would prevent the free swelling of the fruit. Auber- 

 gines are not so much grown in England for culinary 

 purposes as in France and Italy, where they are largely 

 used in stews and soups. The following are the most 

 desirable varieties: New York Purple, the largest kk.d 

 grown, and although not as ornamental as the next, is quite 

 as useful ; Black-fruited, large black fruit, with blackish 

 violet leaves ; and White-fruited, the sort most generally 

 cultivated. See Figs. 191 and 192. 



