6 Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



winter in a cool house, to be subsequently increased by cuttings, 

 which may be inserted either in autumn or spring; this plan may 

 be adopted in order to make quite sure of keeping a variety true, 

 but as a rule they come pretty true from seed. Where seedlings 

 are preferred the seed may be sown in a greenhouse or heated 

 frame in spring, and the seedlings hardened and planted out as 

 margins to borders, or in mixed beds. Any friable, well-drained 

 soil will do; the plants do not like a stiff, wet, adhesive soil. Mexi- 

 canum is the best-known species, and is much grown, but such 

 varieties as Imperial Dwarf Blue and Swanley Blue are generally 

 preferred. 



Agrostemma coronaria (Rose Campion). See Annuals Hardy. 

 Agrostis. See Grasses under Annuals. 



Ailanthus (ailan-thus, from ailanto, tree of heaven. Ord. Sima- 

 rubeae). Ailanthus (or Ailantus) glandulosus is a handsome small 

 tree which may be regarded as hardy, although liable to injury if 

 exposed to cold winds. It loses its leaves in autumn. At Kew the 

 plan is adopted of growing young plants in rich soil and cutting 

 them back close to the ground in autumn. In the following spring 

 the best of the shoots which start is selected, and grown on, to 

 produce beautiful leaves in due course. 



Ajuga. See Flower Garden Rockery. 



Alder (Alnus glutinosa. Ord. Cupulifereae). A well-known tree, 

 not in great demand for parks and gardens, but esteemed because 

 of its adaptability for damp positions. The name Alnus comes from 

 al, near, and Ian, river-bank. It will thrive in swampy places. It 

 may be pruned annually, and made to do duty as covert. There are 

 several distinct varieties of it, and of these aurea, with yellow foliage, 

 is one of the best known. 



Allamanda (allaman-da, after Dr. Allamand. Ord. Apocynaceae) . 

 Beautiful stove plants, which produce large, trumpet-shaped 

 flowers freely during summer. All the principal species and 

 among these Hendersoni is the best known have yellow flowers. 

 Their growth is so vigorous that they may be used as climbers, 

 being trained along the rafters ; or they may be trained on balloon- 

 shaped trellises in large pots. Propagated by cuttings in spring, 

 formed of the ends of partially matured shoots, inserted in sandy 

 soil, and placed in a propagating case. Soil: 4 parts loam, i each 

 decayed manure and leaf mould, sand. The young plants should 

 be pinched when they have fairly started into growth. They will 

 take a good deal of water when growing in summer, but the supply 

 must be reduced in autumn. The plants may be pruned hard in 

 late winter, and repotted; they will then start into growth 

 vigorously. 



Allium. See Bulbs. 



Allotments. Small pieces of land, suitable for culture by work- 

 ing men, of special benefit in districts, whether urban or rural, 

 where the gardens attached to the dwellings are small, or unsuitable 

 for cropping. Flowers, fruit, and vegetables can all be grown on 



