Benincasa 



Berberis 



moderately light compost, and the temperature of 

 a warm greenhouse, will suffice. 



Principal Species : 



caudata, 2', Jy., Aug., grn., pur. 



BENINCASA. 



This genus consists of two or three species of 

 climbing or trailing plants (ord. Cucurbitacere), 

 needing a warm and moist atmosphere. Easily 

 raised annually from seed, but of no special value, 

 though the fruits are moderately attractive. 



Principal Species : 



cerifera, 10'. Jy., Sep., yel. (?yn. hispida). 



BERBERIDOPSIS. 



An extremely ornamental evergreen shrub (ord. 

 Berberideae), of climbing habit, and very suitable- 

 for covering a warm south wall. With some pro- 

 tection, it can be grown against a trellis or similar 

 support. It grows in any good soil ; and is propa- 

 gated by seeds, sown in spring; by cuttings oC the 

 young wood at the same season ; or by layering 

 the branches in autumn. The only species is coral- 

 Una, which has bright crimson flowers, produced 

 at the ends of the branches. In cold districts it 

 may be grown in a greenhouse without heating: 

 apparatus. 



BEKJIERIS STEXOPHYLLA 



BENTINCKIA. 



These noble and handsome Palms (ttrd. Palmar) re- 

 ' quire abundance of heat and moisture at all seasons 

 of the year. A compost of good loam and peat or 

 leaf soil suits them if pressed firm. They can be 

 raised from seeds, but these are seldom offered for 

 sale. When young the leaves are entire, but as 

 age and size increase pinnate leaves are produced. 



Principal Species : 

 Coddapauna, 10' to 20'. nicobarica, 60' to 70'. 



BERARDIA. 



This genus is comprised of evergreen shrubs 

 (ord. Bruniacefe), which require a greenhouse tem- 

 perature. Stock may be increased by cuttings and 

 division. The plants will thrive in any fertile soil. 



Principal Species : 



globosa, '!', Je., wh. paleacea. H', Jy., wh. 



microphylla, H', Jy., wh. phylicoides, '!', Jy., wh. 



[NOTE. Berardia of Villiers (only species sub- 

 acaulis) belongs to. the Composite, and is a different 

 genus entirely.] 



Benthamia, (see C'ornia). 



BERBERIS. (BARBERRY.) 



Description. Highly ornamental evergreen or 

 deciduous shrubs (ord. Berberidese), of erect or 

 trailing habit, and adapted for many purposes in 

 the garden or shrubbery. Almost all have orna- 

 mental foliage, and the greater number have pretty 

 flowers, followed, in many cases, by attractive- 

 berries. The pinnate-leaved species are often known 

 as Mahonias, but are now included with the Ber- 

 berises. These are marked ev. 



Propagation. By seeds, sown in autumn or 

 spring ; by suckers 'or layers, in autumn ; or by 

 cuttings of ripened wood, placed in a frame in 

 autumn. 



Soil. The greater number thrive well in any- 

 ordinary soil, but some of the choicer species ought 

 to be accommodated with a compost of loam, peat,. 

 or leaf soil, and sand. 



Other Cultural Points. It is difficult to dis- 

 criminate between so many beautiful plants, 

 either in selecting the best of the species, or in 

 stating to what purpose they are most adapted. 

 They can be used almost anywhere. One may 



