20S 



HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



SEG 



that the varieties grown in Cuba, Connecticut, 

 and Virginia, are botanically distinct, and are 

 Buch as have been selected as the kinds best 

 suited to the sections in which they are grown. 



Tomato seeds are mostly grown in New Jersey, 

 Connecticut, Michigan, and Illinois ; but they 

 may be grown with nearly the same success in 

 almost all the States of the Union. 



Turnip seeds are grown in Pennsylvania, 

 Ehode Island, Connecticut, and Michigan. A 

 little is grown in Virginia and Maryland, but 

 that is less popular than that grown farther 

 north; not much is now imported. 



Pearl Millet is now creating a wide-spread in- 

 terest. As the plant is tender, we are inclined 

 to think the seeds will be grown exclusively in 

 Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and other 

 Southern States, as a long season and high tem- 

 perature are necessary to fully mature the seed, 

 though the plant as a fodder-plant does well in 

 any section where Maize will grow. Last sea- 

 son, (1878,) under the most favorable condi- 

 tions, we found that the seed did not ripen with 

 us in New Jersey. 



Hungarian Millet, or Hungarian Grass, is en- 

 tirely different from Pearl Millet, bearing no re- 

 semblance to it. The plant is hardy. Saeds 

 are grown in New York, New Jersey, and in 

 many of the Western States. 



Timothy Grass is grown largely in Illinois, 

 Wisconsin, and New York. 



Slue Grass is grown in Kentucky, Ohio, and 

 other Western States. 



Bed Top is grown in New Jersey, Kentucky, 

 Ohio, and Ehode Island. 



Orchard Grass is grown in Kentucky, Ohio, 

 and the Western States. 



Red Clover is grown in Michigan, New York, 

 Ohio, etc. 



White Clover is grown in Wisconsin, Illinois, 

 and Ohio, but the greater portion of it is yet 

 imported from Germany and France. 



Lucerne, or Alfalfa, is grown in California 

 mainly. 



These localities are now the principal ones 

 where seeds of commerce are grown ; but every 

 year, to some extent, these latitudes are chang- 

 ing, as we find that other latitudes are better 

 suited for special kinds. For example, the long, 

 dry seasons of California are found to mature 

 many kinds of seeds far better than any section 

 yet tried in the Atlantic States, particularly so in 

 many of the more delicate kinds of flower seeds, 

 that are yet nearly exclusively grown in Ger- 

 many and France, and sold to us at rates of 

 many times their weight in gold. Tens of 

 thousands of acres are devoted to the raising of 

 flower seeds in Southern Europe, which could 

 probably be far better done in California; but 

 the industry must be one of slow growth, for 

 seeds are different from nearly all other mercan- 

 tile commodities, inasmuch as no examination 

 can certainly tell whether or not seed will ger- 

 minate, or, if it does germinate, can it be known 

 whether it is the variety specified until it ma- 

 tures; hence seed merchants dare not purchase 

 from the growers until not only their honesty, 

 but, what is of equal importance, their knowl- 

 edge of the business in which they are engaged 

 is assured. 



Segar Plant. See Cuphea. 

 Selaginella. A diminutive of Sdtuio, an ancient 

 name of a Lycopodium, from which this genus 

 has been separated. Linn. Cryptogamto-Lycopo- 

 dmea, Nat. Ord. Lycopodiaceci, 



SEN 



A genus of Club Mosses, formerly included 

 inthe genus Lycopodium, and differing only by 

 their two-ranked stems, and the form of the 

 fruit. Many of the species are of taller growth, 

 and have a more metallic luster. Many of them 

 are very beautiful, and are favorite plants for 

 the fern-house or Wardian case. >'. convoluta has 

 the fronds curiously curled in and contracted 

 when dry, so as to form a ball somewhat like 

 the Hose of Jericho, but expands again when 

 moistened. It is commonly called the Resur- 

 rection Plant, and is a native of Panama. S. mu- 

 tabilis has the remarkable property of changing 

 its color during the day: in the morning it is a 

 bright green, but as the day advances it gradu- 

 ally becomes pale, and at night resumes its 

 deeper tint. ti. ccesli has a beautiful metallic 

 luster ric*hly shaded wU.h blue, resembling the 

 tints of a peacock's feathers. 8. ccesii arborea 

 has the same beautiful tints as the preceding, 

 but is a climbing plant of grand proportions. 

 These two should be grown in a hot-house. The 

 nature of all demands a moist atmosphere and 

 partial shade. All the species are readily in- 

 creased by cuttings, which strike root readily. 



Selago. From the Celtic st-l, sight, and jach, sal- 

 utary; supposed medicinal qualities. Linn. Di- 

 dynamia-Angiospermia. Nat. Ord. Selaginacece. 



A very pretty genus of low-growing hardy 

 green-house shrubs from the Cape of Good 

 Hope, with beautiful spikes of rose-colored, 

 yellow, violet, or white flowers. They require 

 but little care or attention, flowering freely in 

 early summer. Propagated by cuttings. 



Self-heal. See Prunella. 



Semecarpus. Marking Nut-tree. From semeion, 

 a mark, and karpos, fruit; the black, acrid juice 

 of the nut is used by the natives for marking 

 cotton cloths. Linn. Polygamia-Dicecia. Nat. 

 Ord. Anacardiacece. 



\ small genus of East Indian evergreen trees, 

 the "unripe fruit of which is employed in mak- 

 ing a kind of ink. The hard shell of the fruit 

 contains a corrosive juice, which is employed 

 externally by the natives for sprains and rheu- 

 matic affections. When dry it forms a black 

 varnish, much used in India, and, among other 

 purposes, it is employed, mixed with pitch and 

 tar, in the calking of ships. The seeds, called 

 Mulacca Beans or Marsh Nuts, are eaten, and 

 are said to stimulate the mental powers, and es- 

 pecially the memory. 



Sempervivum. Houseleek. From semper vivo, 

 to live forever; referring to the tenacity of life 

 of these plants. Linn. JDodecandria-Dodecagynia. 

 Nat. Ord. Crassulacece. 



A genus of shrubby, herbaceous succulent 

 plants, the most beautiful of which are natives 

 of the Canary Islands. The genus is composed 

 chiefly of hardy plants. The tender kinds are 

 interesting plants, and deserve o place in the 

 green-house. Many of the hardy kinds are ex- 

 ceedingly pretty when in flower, and some be- 

 come beautifully tinted in winter when fully ex- 

 posed to the weather, as they always should be, 

 for they are impatient of covering of any kind. 

 They require very little water, except when 

 about to flower; and they are propagated by 

 cuttings, which must be laid ta dry for some 

 days before they are planted. They are very 

 suitable for rock-work, and are occasionally used 

 for "carpet bedding." Young plants are also 

 freely produced by su jkers from the old ones. 



Seneca Snake-root. See Poll/gala. 



Senecio. Groundsel. From seiiex, an old man; 



