Aspasia 



V 83) 



Asphodeline 



Varieties :- 



Connover's Colossal is one of tlic best grown, 

 liui there are several others, including Argenteuil 

 mid :i few ni her varieties. 



Asparagus Beetle (Criiwri.-! Asjiarmji). This 

 blackish green beetle is about j" long, and the 

 larva>. which are dull green in colour, do consider- 

 able damage by eating- the tender parts of the 

 young shoots and foliage, causing a check to the 

 growth, and weakening the plants. When full fed 

 the grubs bury themselves in the ground, and 

 change tn pup:i>. They emerge again in a few 

 weeks, and commence laying eggs. During the 

 spring and summer several broods are produced, 

 and the increase is therefore rapid JJurn old 

 stems in the autumn to destroy any eggs that may 

 be on them, and rake refuse and rough manure 

 from the beds. Dust the plants with slaked lime 

 when moist with dew or rain. Syringe with an 

 insecticide formed by dissolving 4 02. of soft soap 

 in :i gallons of hot water. Stir into the mixture 

 2 oz. of soot and 2 oz. of flowers of sulphur. Apply 

 warm, and after syringing dust soot over the 

 surface of the bed. 



Asparagus Knife. An implement used for sever- 

 ing the heads of Asparagus beneath the surface of 

 the ground. The short blade at the end is pro- 

 vided with small teeth after the manner of a saw, 

 and so arranged that a sharp downward thrust 

 severs the fleshy stem. Though varying a little in 

 make, all Asparagus knives have a Blender steel 

 stem between the blade and the handle. They are 

 handy and useful implements, because they enable 

 the operator to cut the Asparagus head at its full 

 length, and they save the blunting of ordinary 

 knives by slicking them into the around. 

 ASPASIA. 



Stove epiphytic Orchids (.ml. Orchidacese), 

 succeeding in baskets in a mixture of sphagnum, 

 peat, crocks, and charcoal. 



Principal Species : 

 papilion&oea, !>", yel.. 

 mottled br. 



Other Species : 



cpidendroides, 1', Feb., 



w)i. yel. 

 Iimatii, T, Feb., grh., 



wh., br. 



The Aspasia of Salisbui-y is now referred to 

 Ornithogaluiii. which >IT. 



ASPEN. 



(1'opulus tremula.) A familiar deciduous forest 

 tree of rapid growth, considerable height, and great 

 spread of branches. The wood is soft and white, 

 and, although not durable, is in request for the 

 making of various household utensils. The leaves 

 are very thin and membranous, and flutter with 

 the slightest breeze. This has probably given rise 

 to the superstition that it was the Aspen upon 

 which Judas hanged himself, and that as a conse- 

 quence the leaves have never been still since. (For 

 species and varieties .we I'oi'UI.US.) 



ASPERULA. (WooDKL-i-T.) 



Pretty plants (/-,/. Kubiacere) for the shadv 

 parts of rockeries, borders, and for wild gardening. 

 All are hardy, but a few of the Alpine species suffer 

 Irom wet in winter unless protected. With a few 

 exceptions, those named arc perennials. The 

 Holers are small, and the leaves narrow. They 

 are propagated by division of the roots in spring or 

 summer, and by seeds sown in spring. Almost any 



variegnta, 9", Feb., yel., 

 spotted reel, fragrant. 



lutca. Mch., yel. 

 jirincipissa, gru., br. 

 psittacina, grh., br., pur. 



common soil will do, except for the Alpines, which 

 should have a light, peaty one. 



Principal Species : - 



atcadiensis, 3", Ap., pk. A beautiful little 

 Alpine, fine for rockwork. 



azurea, 1', Jy., bl. A charming plant with 1,1 

 Dowers, which are valued for bouquets. A fragrant 

 hdy. ann. (tynt. orientalis and azurea setosa) '" 



cynanchica, 9", Je, wh. A pretty little native 

 plant, which does best in sun. 



odorata, 9", My., wh. Our native Sweet Wood- 

 ruff, prized for its odour when the leaves and stems 

 are dried. 



Other Species :- 



galioidcs , 1', Jy., wh. taurina, 1', Je., wh 



hexaphylla, \\ r , Jy., wh. tinctoria, !{', Je., wl, 



lavvigata ,1 Je., wh. trichoides, ~1', Je., ami 

 uitula, 9 , Je., ro. wh. 



ASPHALT. 



This name is applied to various artificial prepara- 

 tions, in the composition of which boiled gas-tar is 

 indispensable. Thus asphalt felt makes a capital 

 waterproof covering for sheds and out-buildins 

 through being soaked in boiled tar. Yards, garden 

 walks,! and pavements covered with asphalt are 

 dry, firm, and enduring if the material is properly 

 made and put down. Take two parts of dry lime 

 rubbish, with one part each of coal ashes and sand 

 the whole to be finely sifted. All the ingredients 

 should be in a perfectly dry state, and thoroughly 

 mixed together. Leave a hole in the centre of the 

 heap, and into this pour boiling coal-tar. Mix it 

 well by turning the heap, and when sufficient tnr 

 has been added to make it like stiff mortar, it is 

 ready for use. In making asphalt walks it is 

 necessary that there 

 should be a firm foun- 



dation, and nothing is 



better for this than a 



layer of brick ends 



broken small. On this 



place another layer of 



fine gravel or coal ashes, 



rolled down firm and SECTION or ASPHALT WALK. 



level, and finish off with i Soil. 



the asphalt 2" or 3" 2 Drain pipes. 



thick (fee figure). With 3 Fo "n<fot>"" of broken 



a view to the walk being 



dry, all the material 



should be laid so as to 



be highest inthe middle, I 



with a slight fall to eacli 6 Sand. 



side. Sprinkle a good 



coating of coarse sand on the surface, and when cold 



pass a light roller over it. See that the material is 



made smooth and even while soft, and in a few .lavs 



the walk will-hp hard enough for traffic. 



ASPHODELINE. 



Hardy herbaceous perennials (ard. Liliaeetv), 

 distinguished from Asphodelus by the upright, 

 leafy stems. Propagated by division of the rouis 

 in spring or late autumn. Any good garden soil 

 containing plenty of humus suits. 



Principal Species : 



imperialis. '. sum., pk. 



lutea, 3' to 4', sum., yel. The double form of 

 this, flore pleno, is like the type in all except the 

 double flowers. 



taurica, 1' to a', sum., wh. (syn. Asphodelus 

 tauricus). 



4 r e T sma ll grav ,l o, 

 ashes. 



5 As l'l>slt 3 inehes thick, 



' 



