Bones 



( 131 ) 



Bordeaux Mixture 



in :i cool pit, greenhouse, or Heath house, and 

 treated similarly to Disas. 

 Principal Species : 



.-peeiosn, 2', Aug., grn., wh. 



BONES. 



In various forms and various sizes, bones form 

 one of the most valuable fertilisers the gardener 

 can command. Their fertilising properties are 

 chiefly due to phosphate of lime entering largely 

 into their composition, ranch in the same way as it 

 does into vegetable tissue generally. Bones re- 

 dueed to the fine powder called bonemeal are 

 readily assimilated by the roots of plants, and 

 influence to a marked extent the resulting growth. 

 Sown in the trenches with Peas of either the 

 sweet or culinary type the material is invaluable ; 

 while for grass lawns a dressing of 4 or 5 ounces 

 per square yard repays the initial cost many times 

 ever in the increased wealth of green herbage pro- 

 duced. Half or quarter inch bones are frequently 

 mixed with the soil of Vine or other fruit borders, 

 and, being less soluble than bonemeal, provide the 

 occupants with a reserve of food to draw on as 

 occasion demands. What was almost an epidemic 

 among Chrysanthemums, resulted from puttino- 

 bones over the crocks a few years ago ; they became 

 putrid. Superphosphate of lime, which is a well- 

 known fertiliser for all garden and field crops, may 

 be prepared by mixing sixteen parts of bonemeal, 

 twelve parts of Oil of Vitriol, and twelve parts of 

 water, all by weight, and leaving for at least a day 

 and night before using; but it is more economical 

 to buy the fertiliser. 



BONGARDIA. 



Hauwolfii is the only species of this genus in 

 gardens. It is a pretty tuberous perennial (ord 

 Berberideas), .but suffers much from continued 

 wet in winter, and is thus not quite hardy, unless 

 covered with glass or a slate at that season. It 

 grows about (>" high, has yellow flowers, requires a 

 sandy soil, and is propagated by division or seeds 

 (*yn. Leontice altaica). 



BONNAYA. 



Annual, biennial, or perennial herbs, closely 

 allied to Torenia (ord. Scrophularineae), and re- 

 quiring stove culture. The annuals and biennials 

 are increased by seeds, the perennials by cuttings. 

 For soil, use good loam, leaf mould, and sand, in 

 pots and baskets. 



Principal Species : 

 brachycarpa, Je., st. veronicrfolia, 6", Aug 



:"'., vio. st. bieii., pk. 



reptaue, 6", Jy., st. per., 



bl. 



BONNETIA. 



Stove trees (ord. Ternstnomiacese), with ever- 

 green foliage and flowers in clusters towards the 

 top of the branches, or in terminal panicles. Prop- 

 agation may be accomplished by cuttings of 

 matured shoots in sand in a propagating case. 

 Loam, peat, and sand make a suitable compost. 



Principal Species : 

 sessilis, I"/, st., pur. 



BONPLANDIA. 



A genus of one species, a small sub-shrub (ord. 



Polemoniacerc)- The species ( ireininiflora ) lias been 



Bonapartea of Ruiz and J'anm (tec Ti/'nntfuin). 



badly treated. It has been described as Galipea 

 and Caldasia heterophylla. It has violet flowers 

 but is very rarely seen in cultivation. Propagation 

 by seeds and cuttings. Soil, loam and leaf soil in 

 equal parts, with sand. 



BORAGE. 



The leaves of this annual plant (Borago officinalis 

 ord. Boraginea;) are used in salads or in the same 

 way as Spinach when young. The flowers and 

 leaves are employed tor giving an aromatic flavour 

 to liquors. Seeds should be sown at intervals to 

 keep up the supply. March, July, and September 

 are all suitable seasons for the respective crops 

 varied a little for early or late districts. The 

 seeds ought to be sown on a warm, well-draine 1 

 border in drills about 1' apart. Thin out the young 

 plants to 10" or 12" apart. 



BORAGO (.syn. BOEKAOO). 



Hardy perennial or annual plants (ord. Bora- 

 ginefc), not much grown, with the exception of 

 officinalis, which is a good bee plant. The species 

 are propagated by seeds or division, and thrive in 

 common soil, but do best on that which is dry and 

 rather stony. The most useful is officinalis, 3' 

 August, blue, an annual. Others are laxiflora, 1',' 

 July, blue, hardy perennial ; and longifolia, 1', Jnlv' 

 blue, an annual. 



BORASSUS (syn. LOSTANUS). 



A tropical genus (ord. Palmaj) of tall, handsome 

 Palms with huge leaves. They are not much 

 grown in this country, as they need large 

 houses. They require a stove temperature, and 

 may be propagated by seeds in brisk bottom heat 

 The soil should consist of three parts of loam, one 

 part of well rotted cow manure, and sand. The 

 flowers are of one sex onlv, and the male and 

 female flowers are borne "upon different plants 

 (dioecious). The only species is flabellifer, 

 30', which has enormous, nearly circular, leaves, 

 with a great number of stout midribs. It is very 

 rarely seen in cultivation, and is remarkable for it's 

 curiously bulging stem (tyn. flabelliformis and 

 sethiopicum). 



BORBONIA. 



Ornamental greenhouse evergreen Cape shrubs 

 (ord. Leguminosio), with yellow flowers, usually 

 appearing in July. Tips of the half-ripened 

 shoots root easily if taken in spring, and placed 

 under a bell-glass in a cool shaded house. Peat 

 and loam in equal parts, with sand, form a suitable 

 compost. Free drainage is essential, and, like 

 other free-flowering hard-wooded subjects, the 

 plants require plenty of water in summer. Firm 

 potting is advisable. 



Principal Species : 

 barbata, 3' to 4', Jy. 



Other Species : 

 cordata, 3' to 6', Jy. 

 lauceolata, 2' to 3', Jy. 



erenata, 3' to C', Jy. 



ruscifolia, 2' to 4', Jy. 

 undulata, 4', Jy., yel. 



BORDEAUX MIXTURE. 



A valuable fungicide, first used in the Vine- 

 growing districts of Bordeaux as a destroyer of 

 mildew. It is largely used for the spraying of 

 Potatoes, to prevent and check disease. It is 

 excellent for other fungoid diseases, such as leaf 

 curl in Teaches, rust on Chrysanthemums, Tomato 

 diseases, mildew, and orange rust on Roses. 



