Encyclopaedia of Gardening 33 



aurea, yellow, summer, are two of the best. Both grow about 

 1 8 ins. high. 



Blechnum (blec-num, from blechnon, Greek. Ord. Filices). A 

 large genus of ferns, allied to Lomaria. The popular species Spicant 

 is now called by botanists Lomaria Spicant. It is a British plant, 

 and will therefore thrive outdoors in northern climes, but it is worth 

 growing in pots for the cool greenhouse. For culture, see Ferns. 



Blood, as manure. See Manure. 

 Bloodwort or Bloodroot, Sanguinaria. 



Bloom, Blossom. These names are popularly applied to flowers. 

 Bloom is also used to describe the down-like covering on the skins 

 of Grapes and other fruit. While ".bloom " is used generally as an 

 alternative for flowers, " blossom " is usually reserved for the in- 

 florescence of fruit trees. 



Bluebell. The English Bluebell is Scilla nutans (see Bulbs) ; the 

 Scotch is Campanula rotundifolia. 



Blue-bottle (Centaurea Cyanus, the Cornflower). The French 

 call it Bluets. See Annuals Hardy. 



Bocconia, Plume Poppy (bocco-nia, after Dr. Boccone. Ord. 

 Papaveraceae) . Bocconia cordata is a very handsome hardy herba- 

 ceous plant, and in moist, substantial soil, such as well-worked clay, 

 attains to a height of 4 or 5 ft. The foliage is expansive, and the 

 inflorescence is in the form of a tall spike of buff-coloured flowers. 

 It may be propagated by division in spring. This fine plant is well 

 worth a place in the border. It does not care for dry, shallow soil. 



Bog Bean (Menyanthes trifoliata). See Flower Garden Water. 

 Boiler. See Greenhouse Heating. 



Bolting. A term used to indicate the running to seed of Cabbages, 

 Celery, Lettuces, etc. It is commonly due to drought. See 

 Kitchen Garden. 



Boltonia (bolto-nia, after Professor Bolton. Ord. Compositae). 

 Boltonia asteroides is a vigorous, autumn-flowering, hardy herba- 

 ceous plant, with pale pink flowers which might easily be mistaken 

 for a Michaelmas Daisy. It grows about 4 ft. high, and spreads 

 freely in most soils. It is easily propagated by division in spring. 

 It is well worth adding to any border, as its foliage is pretty. For 

 staking, etc., see Flower Garden. 



Bones, See Manures. 



Borage. See Kitchen Garden Herbs. The blue-flowered hardy 

 annual Borage, Borago ofncinalis, is an aromatic plant beloved of 

 bees. The leaves are sometimes used in salads, and for flavouring 

 liquors. It may be raised from seed in spring, and thrives in almost 

 any soil that is not stiff and wet. 



Bordeaux Mixture. Modern agricultural science has done no better 

 service than in putting at our disposal certain liquids which destroy 

 the fungoid diseases of crops. Of these the most famous is the 

 Bordeaux Mixture, which originated in one of the great wine- 



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