AUBERGINE. 



29 



AUCUBA. 



flowers of these are particularly admired 

 for the exquisite symmetry of their form. 

 The dwarf bouquet varieties of this beautiful 

 plant grow from six to nine inches high, 

 and are particularly adapted for small beds, 

 edgings, or for pot-culture ; they often flower 

 so profusely as to entirely hide their foliage. 

 All the varieties delight in a deep, rich, light, 

 soil, and in hot, dry weather should be 

 mulched with well-rotted manure, and 

 frequently supplied with manure-water; 

 this labour will be amply repaid by the in- 

 creased size, beauty, and duration of the 

 flowers. 



Culture. Sow about the first week in 

 April, and sow for succession twice more at 

 intervals of a fortnight. Sow in boxes or 

 pans in light, rich, soil, and place under 

 glass in a situation at once airy and sunny. 

 Prick out in pans or boxes, when large 

 enough to handle, using again a rich, light 

 soil, and in about three weeks' time, when 

 they have developed into sturdy plants well 

 furnished with fibrous roots, transplant to 

 the quarters in which they are to bloom. 

 The soil should be dressed with well- 

 rotted manure, and until the plants begin 

 to show flowers a little weak liquid manure 

 may be given with advantage. 



Auber'gine, or Egg Plant (not. ord. 



Solana'eeae). 

 Several varieties of these half-hardy 



vated in the South of Europe. As pot 

 plants they are curious and interesting, 

 being covered in autumn with beautiful 

 egg-shaped fruit ; the scarlet variety is a 

 great novelty. In warm localities they 

 succeed out of doors on a south border. 



Ctilture, Seeds should be sown in 

 gentle heat in April, and the young plants, 

 when large enough, should be pricked out 

 in 4-inch pots, and kept in heat until fully 

 rooted. About the middle of June, after 

 being hardened off gradually, they may be 

 placed out of doors in the place in which 

 they are intended to grow. 



Aubrietia (nat. ord. Cruciferje). 



Pretty evergreen trailing plants, of which 

 the best known, Aubrietia purpurea, is 

 useful for edging to borders, and for rock- 



LONG PURPLE AUBERGINE. 



annuals are eatable, and extensively culti- 



AUBRIETIA PURPUREA. 



work, &c. They are propagated by divi- 

 sion of the roots in spring or autumn. A 

 light sandy soil is best suited for them. 



Aucuba, or Variegated Laurel 



(nat. ord. Cornaceae). 

 A hardy evergreen shrub originally 

 brought from Japan, well suited for gardens 

 in large towns in which the air is too often 

 too close and smoky. They may be grown 

 in pots for decorative purposes, but do well 

 out of doors in any ordinary soil. Propa- 

 gated by cuttings in spring and autumn set 

 in fairly light soil. 



