l?o. 151.] 451 



The Adlumia. — (Fumariacae,) is a biennial climber, bearing pink 

 ^oweis; it is a native of North America, and is grown from seeds, 

 which are usually sown in the fall. They produce flowers during 

 the whole summer and make a pretty cover for a trellis. 



Jigapanthus. — (Hemerocallidacee,) or blue African lily, is a beau- 

 tiful bulbous rooted plant, much like the leek; it is a native of Afri- 

 ca, and enjoys a rich loamy soil well pulverized. It may be increas- 

 ed by dividing the roots. 



Agave. — (Amaryllidacae) is a succulent plant, from South America; 

 in that country it flowers every ten years; in South Carolina every 

 fifty years; and with us once in a hundred years, — it is consequently 

 called the century plant; its flowers grow on the top, and resemble 

 a candelabra; they are often more than fifty feet high; when the plant 

 t^eases to flower it immediately dies. The South Americans distil 

 from it a drink, use the fibres of the leaves for thread, and the fe- 

 culent substance contained in the stem for soap. 



Hydrangea. — (Saxifrageae,) is a native of this country, and requires 

 a rich soil ; its branches should be cut in, always after flowering, or 

 they will produce tufts at the ends, which are unsightly. 



Dahlia. — (Compositae,) was dicovered in Mexico by Baron Hum- 

 boldt, in 1789, and sent by him to Madrid. In 1804, Lady Holland 

 introduced it from Madrid into England. Humboldt named it Dah- 

 lia in honor of the Swedish Professor, Dahl. They have been culti- 

 vated from seed, and by hybridizing, until the varieties have become 

 almost innumerable. There are now twelve distinct species known. 

 Last year my gardener succeeded in striking dahlias by planting the 

 recent green growth in small pots filled with charcoal dust; he did 

 not lose a single one out of a large number. The tubers should al- 

 ways be taken up in November, dried thoroughly, and phced upon a 

 shelf in your green house. In the spring every eye should be taken 

 off the main bulb, and planted separately in pots. On the first of 

 June they may be transferred to the flower borders. 



Globe Amaranth. — (Amaranthacae,) supposed to be the Amaranth of 

 the poets, which was considered to be the emblem of immortality. 

 It was universally used at funeral ceremonies, in the days of Homer. 

 It was worn by the Thessalians at the funeral of Achilles, and is to 

 this day used in several parts of Europe, for the same purpose. 

 It is a tender annual, and must be raised in a hot bed; -still the flow- 



