Encyclopaedia of Gardening 177 



Hamamelis, Witch Hazel (hamame-lis, from hame, together, and 

 mela, fruit, in allusion to the flowers and fruit being on the tree 

 at the same time. Ord. Hamamelideae) . These small deciduous 

 trees are valuable because they flower early in the year and will 

 thrive in town gardens. They enjoy a good loamy soil. Propa- 

 gation is by cuttings and layers in autumn. Mollis is the best; it 

 is covered with yellow flowers at mid-winter, when bare of leaves, 

 and is pleasantly scented. Arborea also has yellow flowers. This 

 is the Japonica of the Botanical Magazine, t. 6659. 



Hand-glass or Hand-light. A small glass case, sometimes made 

 with a light, movable top, very useful for protecting half-hardy 

 plants, or for keeping cuttings close until rooted; generally made 

 with a cast-iron frame. 



Hardening-off. A term used to distinguish the treatment of a 

 set of young plants which have been raised in heat, and have to be 

 inured to the open air. The process is generally performed by 

 putting them in a cold frame. 



Harebell or Hairbell, Campanula rotundifolia. 



Hare's-foot Fern, Davallia canariensis. 



Hare's-tail Grass (Lagurus ovatus). See Annuals. 



Haricot. The ripe seeds of Kidney Beans. They rarely mature 

 in Great Britain. 



Harpalium (harpa-lium, after Harpalyce. Ord. Compositae). 

 Hardy herbaceous perennials with showy yellow flowers, propagated 

 by division in spring. Rigidum, the only species grown, is now 

 called Heliantlms rigidus by botanists. 



Hart's-tongue Fern, Scolopendrium vulgare. 



Hautbois. A small Strawberry. See Fruit. 



Hawkweed, Hieracium. 



Hawthorn. See Crataegus. 



Hazel, Nut (Corylus Avellana). See Fruit. 



Hazel, Witch. See Hamamelis. 



Heart' s-ease. See Pansy. 



Heath. See Daboecia and Erica. 



Heather. See Calluna. 



Heating. See Greenhouse. 



Hedera, Ivy (hed-era, from hedda (Celtic), cord, referring to the 

 stems. Ord. Araliaceae). Many people would not recognise the 

 " Ivy green " under the name of Hedera helix, but it is well to keep 

 the botanical name in mind, because nurserymen often exhibit im- 

 proved forms of Ivy as Hederas. The common green Ivy is rarely 

 planted on houses nowadays, as the variegated sorts are more at- 

 tractive. But the common Ivy is useful for making a screen, cover- 

 ing a bank, or planting against an outhouse. That and the Irish 

 (Canariensis) are two of the fastest growers. Those who want a 

 screen as quickly as possible should buy strong plants on stakes in 

 pots. Each plant will have several shoots, which may be spread 



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