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CULTIVATION AND ANALYSIS OF PLANTS. 
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CHOICE NATIVE WILD FLOWERS. 
Among the most widely-spread and attractive of native wild flowers are the following, 
selected from an almost innumerable multitude of like beauties. 
Anemone nemorosa, or Wind-flower of the Woods, is a pretty, low-growing plant, adapted to any 
shady border or neglected corner in a garden, or where most other plants will refuse to grow. It is an 
early bloomer, shooting up its pinkish-white flower before the frost is fairly out of the ground. There 
are six species of the Anemone indigenous to the United States, and some imported ones are also culti- 
vated. (See A. coronaria, p. 18.) ; 
Uvularia, or Bellwort, is one of the prettiest of the native Lilies, and blooms about as early as the 
Anemone. It comprises four well-known species, viz.: U. grandiflora, U. perfoliata, U. sessiliflora and 
U. flava, any of which is worthy of a place in the choicest indoor or outdoor collection. 
Erythronium, or Dogtooth Violet—which, by the way, is not a Violet, but a Lily—is also a very 
pretty low-growing wild flower, which blooms about the same time as the foregoing; it Kas blotched 
leaves, and its lily-like flowers gracefully droop and recurve their petals, as in the Fuchsia, but in open 
sunlight become wheel-shaped. There are four species of this plant which are indigenous in our Amer- 
ican woods, all pretty, and destined to become general favorites for parlor or garden, as they already are 
in Europe. 
Dodecatheon Meadia, or Shooting Star —sometimes called the American Cowslip, and not unfre- 
quently in Illinois the Prairie Pointer —is one of our neglected prairie-flowers worthy of a better fate. 
Flowering quite early, and needing but a damp place in any common soil in or out of doors, it fully 
equals the Cyclamen in the color, form and fragrance of its blossoms. 
Tradescantia Virginica, or Spiderwort, is already described (p. 281), to which may be added that it 
will flourish with little attention, in any soil, in or out of doors, requiring only plenty of sunlight and 
water. ; 
Coreopsis, or Tickseed, already described (p. 94), is as easily grown as any of the foregoing wild 
flowers, but requires plenty of room to develop its best specimens. 
Asclepias tuberosa, or Butterfly Weed — sometimes called Pleurisy Root — is a very fine ornamental 
plant that grows wild on most sandy or gravely soils throughout the country, awaiting the notice of flori- 
culturists. In a few instances it has been transferred to gardens with good effect, and will no doubt one 
day be extensively cultivated in and out of doors, as its perennial roots, besides its native attractiveness, 
will specially recommend it. 
Cassia Chamecrista, literally signifying Dwarf-crested Cassia, is familiarly called Partridge Pea, 
because of an alleged partiality of the partridge for its seed. When not in flower it so closely resembles 
the Mimosa, or Sensitive Plant, as to be sometimes mistaken for it; and ag it evinces a degree of sensi- 
tiveness, by closing on the approach of rain or night, this mistake is not inexcusable. But they are essen- 
tially different, as the Cassia has a very bright, showy, large, yellow flower, while the flower of the 
Mimosa is very insignificant. The Cassia has already been introduced into the seedsmen’s catalogues, 
and is of course forevermore rescued from oblivion. It is adapted to indoor or outdoor purposes, and 
those who have experimented with it prefer to raise the seedlings under glass. 
Liatris, or Blazing Star of our western prairies, is a very fine, showy plant for outdoor cultivation. 
There are at least ten species indigenous to the United States, all of them pretty, desirable, and easily 
cultivated. Their bright, purple-red flower-spikes constitute their chief attraction. 
Gentiana crinita, or Fringed Gentian,.so graphically described by our great American poet, William 
Cullen Bryant, is deserving of all the effort and expense that may be necessary to introduce it into cultiva- 
tion. It now grows naturally in moist, sandy places, and those who seek to cultivate it should endeavor 
to prepare similar surroundings. There is quite a number of other species of the Gentian, all of them 
hardy, interesting and worthy of attention. Many of these will undoubtedly prove to be very acceptable 
house plants, as well as garden ornaments, at no very distant day. 
Asters, or Starworts, are a numerous family of extremely pretty plants, there being no less than sixty 
native American species, all of which are very admirable for the abundance and beauty of their flowers. 
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