Earth 



( 314 ) 



Echinocactus 



readily increased by division at the commence- 

 ment of the growing season. 

 Principal Species : 



rraicronata, My., wh. 



suaveolens, My., wh. 



EARTH. 



Indispensable to the growth of most plants. It 

 consists of admixtures of lime, sand, and clay, with 

 decayed vegetable matter called humus. A know- 

 ledge of the chemical composition of these earths 

 is useful in determining the kind of manure neces- 

 sary to ensure complete fertility. Clays generally 

 possess a great deal of potash ; sandy earths much 

 iron ; lime-containing soils are rich in phosphates. 

 All of these, while insoluble in a dry state, are 

 readily rendered soluble and available for plant 

 foods when mixed with water. (8ee also SOILS.) 



EARTHING-UP. 



The term employed by gardeners to denote the 

 drawing of soil up to and around the stems of 

 certain plants, either as a protection against cold 

 or to accomplish the blanching of the parts, as in 

 the case of Celery and Cardoons. The soil used 

 should be just moist, free from lumps and stones, 

 and when used for blanching purposes care 

 should be taken to prevent it finding its way into 

 the hearts of the plants. For details see the 

 various plants affected. 



EARWIG. 



So well known is this insect (Forflcula anricu- 

 laria) that description is unnecessary. To gardeners 

 who have much wall fruit under their care, or who 

 grow large stocks of Dahlias, Carnations, and 

 Chrysanthemums, the earwig is too often an enemy. 

 Hollow stems of Sunflower, Jerusalem Artichoke, 

 and Broad Bean placed among the foliage of the 

 subjects mentioned act as traps, for in these the 

 insects lurk during the daytime, and from them 

 they are easily discharged into a vessel of hot 

 water Small pots partly filled with dry moss and 

 inverted on the stakes supporting Dahlias and 

 other plants are also good traps. 



EBENUS. 



Neat little shrubby or herbaceous plants (ord. 

 Leguminosse), of which only two species appear to 

 be in cultivation. These are scarcely hardy with 

 us, and should be grown in a cool greenhouse, 

 Alpine house, or frame. They like a light soil, and 

 are increased by seeds sown in spring, the shrubby 

 species being also increased by cuttings under 

 glass. 



Only Cultivated Species : 



cretica, 1.J', Je., hlf-hdy. shr., pk. (syn. Anthyllis 

 cretica). 



SibthorpU, t>", Je., herbaceous, pk. 



EBERMAIERA. 



A genus (ord. Acanthacere) of herbs that 

 require a stove temperature. Cuttings of half- 

 ripened growths inserted in very sandy soil beneath 

 a bell-glass over bottom heat root readily. A 

 mixture of three parts fibrous loam and one part 

 peat, with coarse sand, suits. 



Earlia (see Gr/ii>to-pliylluni), 



Earth-nut (see Ararkis hypor/rca). 



East Indian Hawthorn (see R/ta.jiiolepis indie/i). 



East Indian Wine Palm (see Phoenix sylrestris). 



Principal Species : 



nitida, 4", wh. 



ECCREMOCARPUS. 



Elegant climbing plants (iinl. Bignoniacere) with 

 pretty flowers and foliage, and of much value for 

 the conservatory, or for walls and trellises in 

 summer. Scaber is hardy in sheltered localities, but 

 is best treated as a half-hardy annual, by sowing 

 the seeds in heat in early spring and planting the 

 seedlings out in May. Cuttings may also be taken 

 in autumn and struck under glass. The other 

 species should be treated as greenhouse plants, and 

 propagated by seeds or cuttings. All like a light, 

 rich soil. 



Principal Species : 



lougiflorus, 8', Jy., yel. roseus, reddish flowers. 



scalier, S', Jy., or. (./. 



Calampelis scaber). 



ECHEVERIA. 



Succulent plants (ord. Crassulaceai), no\v in- 

 cluded with the Cotyledons, but best known in 

 gardens by the present name. They are valuable 

 for carpet bedding, and also for the greenhouse or 

 window. Propagated by offsets ; by seeds sown in 

 heat in spring ; or by leaves pulled off and laid in 

 dry sand in pots in a warm house in autumn. A 

 dry, but rich, sandy soil suits. 



Principal Species and Varieties : 

 gibliiflura, 1',', Jy., yel., glauca, <i", Jy., sc., yel. 



red (nee Cotyledon gib bi- retusa, IV, Nov., yel. 



flora). glauca. 



metallica, very fine. floribirada splendens. 



puinila, 6", Aug., yel., secunda, 1', Jo., red, yel. 

 red. gluui-M. 



glauca major. 



Other Species : 



atropurpurea, 9", Sep., lurida, 6", Sep., red. 



red. rosea, 1', Ap., red, yel. 



califoruica, 9", Sep., yel. Peacockii, 1', Jy., red. 



fulgens, 0", win., red yel. stolouifera, G", yel., pk. 



ECHIDNOPSIS. 



A genus (ord. AsclepiadeaV) of greenhouse succu- 

 lents that grow satisfactorily in light loam and 

 brick rubbish, but need liquid manure when in 

 active growth. Water carefully, especially during 

 the resting period. Propagated by spring cuttings 

 dried at the base before insertion in sandy soil. 



Principal Species : 



cereiformis, X", sum., yel. 



ECHINACEA. 



According to present authorities, the Echinaceas 

 (ord. Composite) should be separated from the 

 Rudbeckias, although they are generally known in 

 gardens by the latter name. For convenience the 

 species now called Echinacea are named herewith, 

 but cultural details will be found under Kudbeckia. 

 Some new forms of various colours are now being 

 offered. 



Principal Species : 



anguatifolia, 3', Aug., red. purpurea, 2.}', Aug., red 

 Dieksouii, 1', Aug., hlf- pur. (xi/)i. intermedia). 



hdy., lil. 



ECHINOCACTUS. 



A large genus (ord. Cacteae), of which the 

 nomenclature is somewhat confusing, owing to 



Ebony (see JJiotpyros Ebenum}. 

 Evhidnium (see DracuntiunC). 



