286 HORTICULTURIST'S KULE-BOOK. 



Legume. A simple pod composed of two valves or parts, as 



pea and bean pods. 



Leguminous. Of or pertaining to legumes. Used to desig- 

 nate plants of the pea and bean family. 

 Loam. Friable, mellow, rich soil which contains humus, and 



does not bake or leach. Clay loam has a basis of clay. 



Hard clay soil becomes clay loam by careful and thorough 



tillage and the addition of humus. Sandy loam has a basis 



of sand, and is formed from sandy soils by the addition of 



humus. 

 Maiden (adj.). Applied to young plants which have not 



borne. 

 Male. Used to designate flowers or plants which bear only 



stamens. 

 Manure. 1. Any substance which promotes plant-growth. 



2. riant-food. 

 Microbe. A term applied to various microscopic organisms 



usually classed with plants, which play an important role 



in disease, chemical decomposition, and decay. 

 Mildew. A powdery or mold-like growth attached lightly to 



the surface of the plant, particularly when it is white or 



nearly so, as gooseberry-mildew. 

 Mongrel. A cross between varieties of the same species ; 



half-breed ; cross-breed ; variety-hybrid. 

 Monoecious. Said of plants in which the stamens and pistils 



are borne in different flowers on the same plant. 

 Mother-bulb. The large bulb about which bulbels are formed. 

 Mycology. The science of fungi. 

 Nursery. An establishment for the rearing of plants. In 



America the word is generally used in connection with 



woody plants only. 



Offscape. The landscape which lies adjacent to one's grounds. 

 Olericulture. The cultivation of kitchen-garden vegetables ; 



vegetable-gardening. 

 Open. An implanted portion of grounds; an open lawn or 



field. 

 Order. Family, in botany. 



