The Heliotrope. 



The celebrated JUSSIBU, while botanizing in the Cordilleras, suddenly inhaled 

 the most delicious odors. He looked eagerly about to discover their origin, ex- 

 pecting to find some brilliantly colored flower, but only perceived some large 

 bushes bearing clusters of flowers of a pale lavender hue. On coming nearer he 

 observed that the flowers turned towards the sun. Struck with this peculiarity, 

 he gave the plant the name of Heliotrope, which is derived from the Greek words 

 signifying " sun," and " I turn." Delighted with the charming acquisition, the 

 learned botanist collected a quantity of seeds and sent them to the Jardin du 

 Roi y at Paris, where it was first cultivated in Europe, in 1757. 



It soon became a treasured household flower, and is found in every window 

 garden and bouquet. Three species have since been introduced from the south of 

 Europe and Asia. 



The Heliotrope has been called emblematical of flattery. The Orientals say, 

 that its perfumes elevate their souls toward heaven. 



It is prized more for its fragrance than the beauty of its flowers ; though Vol- 

 taireanum has deep purple flowers that are very handsome, and many of the later 

 varieties are rich in coloring as well as in perfume. 



The cottagers of England used to call it " cherry pie," from a fancied resemb- 

 lance of the fragrance of the flower to the odor of nicely cooked cherries. The 

 variety introduced by Jussieu was called Heliotropium Peruvianum, and is still 

 cultivated ; and it was many years before much change of color was effected in 

 the flower, and now its shades are either lighter or of a rich purple. It will 

 bloom the whole season ; is never without flowers in California, where it grows 

 in immense bushes, and blooms most luxuriantly. 



It is a favorite with every one, as its odors are not so strong as those of many 

 other flowers, and pervade the atmosphere to a small extent. The older the 

 plant, the more profuse are its flowers, but it must be kept in a healthy condition 

 to bloom in perfection. 



Cuttings grown in open borders become very rank and succulent, but if kept 

 over the next season, this disappears and a woody stem succeeds it. 



They can be grown as standards and make fine showy plants. Prune off all 

 the lower branches, and let a single leading stem remain, with a head of several 

 feet in diameter. Peruvianum is well adapted to train in this manner, for 

 when the plant is three or four years old its branches assume .a drooping habit. 



These plants require close pruning to flower profusely. If you desire to keep 



