AMERICAN GARDENER. 227 



fiower, and worthy of great pains. It is raised 

 from seed, or from pieces of the roots. Sow the 

 seed in spring. The plant does not blow the first 

 year. The root, which is tuberous, is taken up 

 in the fall, dried in the sun, and put by in the ground 

 till spring, when it is put into the ground again. 

 And, during the summer, it sends out young roots 

 which must be taken off and planted out, to be- 

 come blowers. There is a great variety of colours 

 and of sizes of this flower. 



335. ARBUTUS. A pretty ever-green, as 

 well known as the oak tree ; and is to be got every 

 where. 



336. ASTRE (China). Astre is French for 

 star, and this flower, in its shape, resembles a 

 star to OIH* view. It is annual, bears great quan- 

 tities of seed, and is sown early in spring. An 

 infinite variety of colours and great quantities of 

 blossoms. It gives no smell ; but a clump, of it 

 furnishes a great mass of beauty to the sight. 



337. AURICULA. Thisis one of the flowers, 

 the sorts of which are distinguished by having 

 awarded to them the names of famous men and 

 women, famous cities, and famous battles, and so 

 forth. It may be raised from seed; bat tlfb flow- 

 ers proceeding from plants so raised, do not re- 

 semble the flowers of the mother plant, except by- 

 mere accident. It is a chance if you get a fine 



flower fi'om a whole sown bed. Now-and then, 

 one of this description comes, however, and this 

 adds to the list of names, if it happen to. be one of 

 the like of which has not made its appearance 

 before. Auriculas are therefore, propagated by 

 parting the roots, and every root sends out seve- 

 ral young plants annually When sown, they do 



