AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



463 



Sowerbaea continued. 



linear-filiform, terete, all short or some nearly as long as the 

 stem, bordered at base and sometimes up to 2in. with scariou.s, 

 sheathing margins. Stem simple, slender, 1ft. to 2ft. high. 1792. 

 (A. B. R. 81 ; B. M. 1104 ; T. L. S. v. 6.) 



S. laxiflora (loose-flowered), ft., perianth segments about Jin 

 long, much narrower than in S. juncea ; umbels loose. June. 

 I. crowded at the base of the stein, but sometimes extending 

 some way up, the sheath less prominent anil not at all scarious. 

 Stems 1ft. to 2ft. high, sometimes slightly branched at the base. 

 1839. (B. R. 1841, 10.) 



SOW THISTLE. See Souchua. 



FIG. 506. OPHIOGLOSSUM VULGATUM. showing Creeping Rootstock 

 and Barren and Fertile Fronds. 



SPADES. These are the most essential of tools in 

 use throughout the whole year in every garden, whether 

 large or small. Although often considered as being a 

 subject of comparatively little importance, digging, or 

 the art of using a Spade, is really quite the reverse, A 

 great difference is noticeable in the way workmen use a 

 Spade. The proper method of doing so is only learned 

 by experience ; even amongst several workmen in a 

 garden, one or two may generally be selected who are more 

 to be trusted than any of the others for digging amongst 

 plants, or where it is important to secure an even surface. 

 It is of great advantage when a workman can dig in 

 either direction - that is, use the Spade with either the 

 right or the left hand on top of the handle. Garden 

 ground may require digging to leave the surface even, 

 or, in autumn, it may be advantageous to merely turn 

 and throw it up rough, for exposure to the weather. 



Spades continued. 



Digging with a Spade is sometimes a dangerous pro- 

 ceeding near the roots of plants ; in this case, it is 

 generally preferable to use a fork instead. Spades 

 should always be cleaned after being used, and placed 

 in the tool-shed : it is impossible to work properly with 

 them if they are allowed to get rusty by being left 

 lying about. There are several sizes of Spades made; 

 some, purposely intended for digging drains, have narrow 

 blades, which are rather long in proportion. A medium 

 size, usually known as No. 3, is that most generally 

 useful for digging garden ground. Larger or smaller 

 sizes are sometimes preferred when the soil to be dug 

 is either very light or very heavy. 



SFADICEOUS. Bearing, or partaking of the nature 

 of, a Spadix. 



FIG. 507. ARUM DRACUNCULUS, showing the Spatlix (*) projecting 

 from the Spathe (up), which is open above, but remains closed 

 below around the Flowers. 



SPADIX (from the Greek spadix, a Palm branch 

 bearing fruit). A form of inflorescence, usually having 

 the rachis rather fleshy, with the flowers imbedded in 



FIG 508 ANTHURIUM SCHERZERIANUM MAXIMUM, showing 

 ' unbranched Spadix () lying on *n open Spathe ( V > 



