.ZEcidium 



(19 ) 



Aerides 



Several of the species are regarded as synonymous 

 with various Billbergias, Bromelias, and Hohen- 

 bergias. Fulgens, its variety discolor, and 

 Mari;r-Regin:u are the best horticulturally. As is 

 the case with the majority of the members of the 

 same order, propagation is effected by suckers; a 

 suitable compost is formed of light loam and leaf 

 mould in equal proportions, with coarse sand. 



Principal Species : 



Barleei, 'A', Aug. , pur. fulgeus discolor, 2', Je., 



bracteata, '!', Jy., yel. sc., pur. 



ccelestis, 1^', Jy. , bl. (*///?.*. Lindeuii, 2', Aug., sc., 



Hoplophytum cirleste pur. 



and Hoheubergia Mariic-EegiuEe, 2', Aug. 



coelestis). to Nov., vio., crim. 



fasciata, 14',Aug.. jik., lil. rosea, !', Jy. to Sep., 



(syns. Billbergia fasci- ro. 



ata, B. rhodocyanea, Veitchii, 1J', Jy. to Sep. , 



and JE. Leopoldii). red. 



fulgens, IJ'.Jy. to Sep., sc. 



^ECIDIUM. 



A genus of fungi. As occasion requires, the 

 species will be referred to under the particular 

 plants they attack. 



-<EGICERAS. 



An unimportant genus (ord. Myrsinacere). Ma- 

 jus (syn. fragrans) is the only species ; it is 

 .an evergreen tree, requiring the protection of 

 a greenhouse. Propagation by summer growths 

 in sand ; soil, loam and peat with sand. This 

 species, which grows 10' high, has white flowers. 



yEGIPHILA. 



Evergreen shrubs (ord. Verbenacese), requiring 

 the temperature of a stove. Propagation is by 

 cuttings in sand with gentle bottom heat ; soil, 

 sound loam. 



Principal Species : 

 arborescens, 10', Nov., foetida, 2', Jy., HI. 



cream. grandiflora (see Clero- 



diffusa, 2', Jy., yel. deudron). 



An Indian fruit (ord. Rutaceje), known as 

 Bengal Quince, Marmelos, or Ball Fruit, which is 

 credited with medicinal properties. Requires the 

 temperature of a stove. Propagation by cuttings of 

 ripe wood in sand, bottom heat; soil, best loam. 

 The flowers are fragrant. 



Principal Species : 



Marmelos, <!', Ap., wh. 



^EGOPODIUM. 



Tlie Goat Weeds (nrd. Umbelliferse) are generally 

 regarded as troublesome weeds, though in some 

 countries the leaves, having the odour of Angelica, 

 are used in salads. The best known species, Poda- 

 graria, is widely distributed throughout Europe ; 

 its white flowers appear in June. 



-ffiOLANTHUS. 



Annuals (ord. Labiata:) requiring the tempera- 

 ture of a stove. Propagation by seeds. Soil, any 

 good sandy compost. 



Species (two only) : 



Livingston!!, 1', Jy. to suaveolens, 1', Jy., lil. 

 Oct., br. 



AERANTHES. 



Air flowers (ord. Orchidacese). A small genus 

 iosely allied to, and needing the same cultural 



conditions as, Angnccums. The principal species 

 is grandiflorus, 1', June, white and yellow. 



AERATION. 



The exposure of soil to the air. One of the chief 

 objects of good cultivation is aeration of the soil ; 

 and draining, trenching, digging, and hoeing are 

 all means to that end. If land is to be fertile air 

 must be admitted freely, as it is of great importance 

 to the well-being of roots. Soil that is heavily 

 charged with water is practically sealed against 

 air, and therefore drainage is necessary as a means 

 of aeration. Stiff, clayey soils of a retentive char- 

 acter do not admit air freely, and are much im- 

 proved by being ridged up roughly in the autumn, 

 exposing the lumps to the action of the atmosphere. 

 The result of this treatment is seen in the spring, 

 when the soil is readily broken into small particles, 

 and a good tilth is obtained. The want of aeration 

 may be observed in land that has been neglected in 

 matters of cultivation, as the soil becomes hard and 

 close, and crops fail to flourish in it until brought 

 back into a state of fertility. Frequently ground 

 is condemned as poor, when all that is required is 

 aeration by a thorough system of cultivation. 



AERIAL ROOTS. 



Air roots form upon the stem of the Vine, 

 and to a less degree on that of the Tomato and 

 Cucumber. They are of the nature of true roots, 

 and readily work into soil or wet moss when brought 

 into contact with it. Their presence generally in- 

 dicates a sour, wet condition of the border, though 

 they are also formed through the atmosphere of 11 

 house being kept too moist and close. As they are 

 in no manner injurious in themselves, but rather 

 beneficial in that their function is clearly to assist 

 the roots proper, they should not be removed, but 

 allowed to remain until the end of the season, when 

 they will wither away naturally. After the fruit is 

 gathered the border should receive a thorough over- 

 hauling, the roots be brought to the surface, pruned 

 where necessary, and re-laid in fresh, sweet soil. 

 The following season afford more ventilation during 

 the early stages of growth. 



AERIDES. 



Description. A large genus of Orchids (ord. 

 Orchidacese) consisting chiefly of species needing 

 the temperature of a stove and moist atmospheric 

 conditions. The leaves are evergreen. The 

 flowers, often fragrant, are produced in graceful 

 racemes that are sometimes branched. 



Cultural Points. Like most other epiphytic and 

 moisture-loving Orchids, the Aerides succeed if 

 planted in pots, pans, or teak baskets, among crocks, 

 and then surfaced with a good layer of living 

 sphagnum. Broadly speaking, the growing season 

 is from March to October, and then the night tem- 

 perature should be from 65 to 75, while during the 

 day it may rise to 8r>, provided shade is afforded 

 and the house ventilated. During autumn and 

 winter the temperature should be (!0 to 65 by 

 night, with a rise of 5 to 10 by day during bright 

 weather. Water freely during the growing season, 

 but moderately during winter. At all seasons of 

 the year frequently damp down all wall and stage 

 surfaces, but do not throw water on the heated hot- 



JEgocltloa (sec frilia). 

 JKoi/iinii (we Stini>i-niriim~). 

 JEranthus (see Angra'cum). 



