American Cowslip 



(89.) 



Amomnm 



trees in autumn by egg-laying females. When 

 crushed the insects emit a reddish fluid. It' 

 left undisturbed under their natural protection 

 they pierce the soft part of the bark and suck 

 the juice. I'lcerations are formed, the adjacent 

 bark splits open, canker sets in, and if the tree 

 does not succumb it becomes so weakened as 

 to be of little value. No part of the tree is safe 

 from infestation, for even the roots are liable 

 to attack, and occasionally the pest is 'introduced 

 on the roots of younjr trees. The eggs, which 

 are very small, are concealed in the crevices 

 of the bark, so that American blight is easily in- 

 troduced into a garden by planting infested trees. 

 No efforts should be spared in eradicating the 

 pest when it appears. Winter is the best time for 

 the operation, usinir a mixture formed of J Ib. 

 caustic soda (Greenbank's 98 per cent.), and } Ib. 

 pi;arl:ish (cnniiiicrcial potash) dissolved in 5 gals, 

 of water. Spray the trees with the wash, applying 

 sufficient to wet the branches. Gloves should be 

 worn during tlie operation. The following in- 

 secticide is suitable for destroying the pest in the 

 summer if sprayed on the branches or applied to 

 the affected parts with a brush, (a) Boil 1 Ib. of 

 soft soap in 1 qt. of soft water for an hour. (*) 

 Take it off the tire while boiling and pour in .', pt. 

 of paraffin, (c) Pour the solution into a tub'con- 

 taining 8 gals, of water, and thoroughly churn with 

 a syringe. It is best applied in the evening, when 

 the sun is declining, otherwise the foliage may be 

 badly injured. 



AMERICAN COWSLIP (see DODE- 



CATIIKOX). 



AMERICAN CRESS. 



This plant (liarbarea pnecox) resembles Water- 

 cress, but may be grown in any ordinary garden 

 soil. Kich ground is rather detrimental than ad- 

 vantageous. Seed may be sown successionally in 

 spring, and in August for the plants to stand the 

 winter with a little protection. The plants will 

 need thinning, and should have water occasionally 

 in summer unless a cool spot can be found for them. 

 Use the outside leaves. 



AMERICAN PLANTS. 



Under this comprehensive term horticulturists 

 bring together a number of hardy plants from 

 diverse genera for cultivation in well-drained peatv 

 soil. Almost all these make an abundance of 

 fibrous surface roots, consequently, although sour- 

 ness of the soil must be guarded against, it is 

 necessary that such plants never lack moisture in 

 the rooting medium. Leaf mould and well-decayed 

 vegetable refuse make splendid material for top- 

 dressing American plants. The principal genera 

 included are Andromeda, Azalea, Clethra, Erica, 

 Gaultheria, Kalmia, Ledum, Pernettya, Pieris, 

 Rhododendron, and Zenobia. Quite a number 

 of American plants enjoy shade from the hot 

 midsummer sunshine. 



AMETHYSTEA. 



A hardy annual (ord. Labiatoe) of erect habit, with 

 small blue flowers, leaves three to five parted. Pro- 

 pagated by seeds sown in the open in March or 

 April, or in heat at the beginning of March. Any 

 good garden loam suits. 



Species : 



cserulea, 1', Jy., bl. This is the only species of 

 the genus (it/nt. corymbosa and trifida). 



A merlcan Cranberry (nee Oxycoceus*). 



AMHERSTIA. 



One of the most gorgeous flowered of tropical 

 trees (or A. Leguminosie), surpassing, in India and 

 Bunnah, the graceful beauty which in tem- 

 perate climes is associated with the Laburnum. 

 There is but one species, a tree, bearing large 

 leaves and long racemes of brilliant flowers. In 

 this country it can only be grown in a large stove. 

 The blooms only last two or three days. 



Only Species :- 



nobilis, 40', sum., rich ver. 



AMICIA. 



A small group of Mexican plants (ord. Legumin- 

 osaj) that can only be regarded as half-hardy in 

 this country. Only one species is worth recording ; 

 it is a shrubby climber, and should be planted 

 against a wall having a south aspect. 



Principal Species : 

 Zygomeris, 8', Jy., Aug.* yel. 



AMMOBIUM. 



Pretty and well-known "everlasting "flowers 

 (ord. Composite) differing from the Gnaphaliums 

 by their habit alone. Flower heads about 1" across. 

 Half-hardy annuals. Propagated by seeds sown 

 under glass in March or April, and outdoors in 

 May. Seeds may also be sown in August or 

 September, and the plants kept under glass until 

 spring. Light, rich, and sandy soil is best. The 

 young plants ought to be thinned out or trans- 

 planted when fit to handle. If the flowers are 

 wanted for preservation, cut before fully open in 

 dry weather, and hang in bunches with the 

 heads down to dry. 



Principal Species : 



alatiini, 2', sum., wh. The variety grandiflorum 

 is superior to the type; it has larger and whiter 

 blooms. 



plantagineum, 1', Aug., wh. 



AMMODENDRON. 



Hardy evergreen shrubs (ord. Leguminosa;) allied 

 to Cladrastis, Virgilia, and Sophora. Flowers violet 

 or purple. Propagated by seeds in a frame, also by 

 grafting on pieces of roots of established plants. 

 They tnrive in sandy or well-drained soil of a poor 

 character in the garden or shrubbery. 



Principal Species : 



Sieversii, 4', Je., hdy., pur. (syn. bifolia). 



AMOMUM. 



Herbaceous perennial plants {ord. Scitamineas), 

 dying down to the rhizomes in winter. The flowers 

 vary in different species from white to pink, rose, 

 red, yellow, and orange. They require a moist stove 

 heat for their well-being. Most of them are valued 

 for their ornamental foliage, which is deliciouslv 

 fragrant when rubbed, as in the case of Cardamd- 

 mum, aromaticum, etc. They are allied to Hedy- 

 chium and the Ginger Plant. Propagated by divi- 

 sion of the rhizomes or rootstock in spring, also 

 by seeds. Two parts of fibrous loam, one part leaf 

 mould, and half a part of well-decayed cow manure 

 broken fine, with sufficient sand to make it porous, 

 suit them. 



Amiant/iemmii (see Xyi/adcmis). 

 Ammar/fton (see Troximori). 

 Ammynlne (see Leiupli yllum). 



