Synthyris 



( 378 ) 



Tacca 



Pretty, hardy, Alpine perennials (urd. Scrophu- 

 larineas), with spikes or racemes of small flowers. 

 Propagation, by division or seeds. Common, moist 

 soil. They look best on the rockery. 



Principal Species : 



pinnstifida, 9", sum., 1)1. spr., bl., prettier than 



reniformis, 6" to 10", above. 



SYRINGA. 



Description. Hardy, deciduous shrubs (aril. 

 Oleacese) comprising the well-known, fragrant, and 

 beautiful Lilacs (which see). Given an open 

 position where they can have an abundance of 

 air, there are few shrubs that produce a more 

 attractive effect in spring. 



Propagation. By layers and rooted suckers; also 

 by budding or grafting the choice varieties on to 

 the common Lilac. 



Soil. Deep loam, but there is probably no sou 



in which good Lilacs may not be grown when 

 proper attention is accorded. 



Other Cultural Points. The Lilac is so univers- 

 ally seen and so easily grown that the impression 

 prevails that no attention need be given at any 

 stage. The centre of young plants should be kept 

 open by pruning regularly, and the growths spring- 

 ing from the base must be removed. The old 

 flowers should be removed before seed is formed, 

 and the young growths thinned. 



Principal Species, Hybrid, and Varieties : 



[NOTE. For special selections of varieties, sec 



LILAC.] 



chinensis,4'to8',My.,vio., laciniata, >', My., pur. 



hybrid (st/ns. correlata, (KI/H*. filicifolia, laoinl- 



dubia, and rothomageu- ata, pteridifolia, and 



sis) ; metensis, rubra, pinuata). 



and saugeana are vars. vulgaris, 8' to 12, My., 



peraica, 5', My., pur. (we vio.; many fine vars. 



p. 377). ( LILAC). 

 alba, 3', My., wh. 



Other Species and Varieties: 



Emodi, 9', Ap., wh. ; oblate, 9', pur. (syn. 



there are rose coloured chinensis of Blume). 



and variegated leaved pekinensis, wh. ^(si/ns. 



vars. amureusis pekinensis 



japonica, 20', Jy., crim. ; and Ligustrina pekiu- 



very large inflores- ensis). 



cences. villosa, 6', My., pur. 



Josiktea, 8', My., HI. (xi/ni. pubesceus and 



- eximia, larger than veiTucosa). 

 type, ro. 



SYRINGE. 



A syringe with a plain nozzle should always be 

 chosen in preference to one with a perforated cap. 

 With the former it is possible by an intelligent 

 manipulation of the index finger of the left or 

 grasping hand to produce a spray of any required 

 density, and to direct that spray on to any part of a 

 plant desired. In using oily or soapy solutions a 

 difficulty is often experienced in holding the 

 syringe, but a small metal stop or flange, which 

 can readily be soldered to the barrel by a mechanic, 

 placed to afford resistance to the little finger, will 

 do away with this. 



If a syringe with an automatic or rubber plunger 

 is obtained the need of constant packing for this 

 will be dispensed with ; if, however, the plunger is 



Syringa, Mock (pee Philadclphus eoronariu*). 



one -that requires packing, this can be accomplished 

 with tow and Russian tallow ; or, better still, a 

 piece of chamois leather can be bound round it 

 with waxed thread. When on drawing back the 

 handle of a syringe a stream of water is conducted 

 up it on to 'the operator, it is a sign that the 

 packing requires to be renewed. The Abol spray- 

 ing syringe is a great improvement upon those 

 generally found in gardens, and is very easily used. 



SYRINGODEA. 



Greenhouse bulbs (ord. Iridese), forming a con- 

 necting link between the Crocus and the Komulea. 

 Sandy soil, and similar treatment to the Ixia or 

 Sparaxis (which set-). 



Principal Species : 



pulchella, aut., pile pur. 



SYRPHUS. 



Two-winged flies (Diptera), commonly known as. 

 Hawkflies, and generally about the size of house- 

 flies. The fleshy larva; feed on Aphides, and should 

 be protected rather than destroyed. 



TABEBUIA. 



Ornamental stove trees and shrubs (ord. Bignoni- 

 acese), resembling Tecorna. Few are cultivated, as 

 a large size has to be attained before flowering. 

 Propagation, by cuttings of half-ripe wood in a 

 close case. Soil, peat, loam, and sand. 



Principal Species : 

 sesculifolia, 20', Je., or., Donnell-Smithii, 20', Je., 



yel. spots. yel. 



Havescens, lf> , Jy.,yel. 



TABERN^EMONTANA. 



Ornamental stove shrubs (ord. Apocynacere), re- 

 sembling some species of Gardenia, and often 

 fragrant. Coronaria is worthy of a place in every 

 stove. Propagation, by cuttings in spring and 

 autumn in a close case in sandy soil. Soil, equal 

 parts fibrous peat and loam, with sufficient sand to 

 keep it porous. The points of the branches should 

 be pinched several times when the plants are 

 young to encourage a bushy habit. An annual 

 pruning should be given after the flowers are over. 

 Mealy bug is the worst enemy, for which syringe 

 weekly with paraffin emulsion. (See INSECTICIDES.). 



Principal Species and Varieties : 

 amvgdahefolia, 6', Jy., - "ore pleno, flowers. 



W ]i. double, 



coronaria, 4', sum., wh. grandiflora, fa , sum., yel. 



crispa, petals fringed. speciosa, 6', Jy., wh. 



Other Species : 



acuminate, 4', sum., wh. australis, C', sum., wh. 

 acutissima, 4', Jy., wh. Berteri, 4', Jy., wh. 



aftinis, :!', Ap., Je., wh. fagneoides, 4' to , Jy., 



wh. 



TACCA. 



Perennial stove herbs (ord. Taccacese), with thick, 

 tuberous roots and small flowers. The roots are 

 very rich in starch, and those of pinnatifida are 

 used for food. They require a long rest after the 

 leaves have died down. Propagation, by division, 

 in spring. Soil, loam, peat, and sand. 



Principal Species : 

 artocarpifolia, 5' to fi', integrifolia, 2', Je., grn.,. 



My., br., grn., Ivs. pur., yel. (si/n. aspera). 



large, handsome. palmata, 2', Je., br. 



cristate, 1.',' to 2', My., rimnatiftda, 3', Je., pur. 



pur., br." (syn. Ataccia (.y. Brownii). 



cristate). viridis, 2', My., grn. 



