SELECT LISTS OF PLANTS. 271 



tie tips of the growing shoots, taken off during the winter, and planted 

 ia a close frame with bottom heat. 



Erica (Heath). — An extensive genus of nearly, or quite, four 

 hundred species of evergreen shrubs, with small and slender branches. 

 A large majority of the species are native of the Cape of Good Hope, 

 and are tender in cool climates. There are, however, a few species native 

 of Europe, and hardy, but they require a moist soil and a rather shady 

 position. The Heaths are very popular plants, and extensively culti- 

 vated in European gardens and greenhouses, but seldom seen in any 

 large numbers in this country, as they reqtiire special care and attention 

 in order to produce fine, healthy specimen plants. Propagated by seed 

 lor producing new varieties, and by cuttings of the ends of the mature 

 twigs, also from the young growth of what are called the soft-wooded 

 species. The cuttings should be short — ^not more than two inches long, 

 and one-half this length wiU answer equally as well. Very clean sand 

 should be used in which to set the cuttings of these plants, and the pots 

 or boxes given good drainage. 



JErythrina (Coral Tree). — A genus of about thirty species of trees and 

 shrubs, bearing showy pea-shaped flowers. They are principally natives of 

 tropical countries. One species (-fi herbaced), with slightly woody stem, 

 indigenous to our Southern States. The flowers of all the species are 

 coral-red, scarlet or copper colored, hence the common name of "Coral 

 tree. "The Cockscomb Coral tree, from Brazil ( C. CristorgaUi), is the best 

 known and most common species in cultivation in this country. The plants 

 ai'e usually stored in a warm cellar or cool greenhouse during winter, 

 and planted out in summer. Propagated by cuttings of the young 

 shoots as they start in spring, taken off with a heel, and planted where 

 they will receive a little bottom heat. 



Eucalyptus (Australian Gum Tree, Fever Tree). — ^An immense 

 genus of very large, broad-leaved evergreen trees, mostly natives of 

 Australia. Specimen trees of some of the species are said to have been 

 found in the forests of Australia that are over four hundred feet high, 

 with stems more than fifty feet in circumference. The Blue Gum tree 

 (E. globulus), has been planted quite extensively in California as a timber 

 tree, and also in the malarious districts of Italy, where it is said to have 

 a beneficial effect in cheeking malarial fevers. Propagated by seeds im- 

 ported from Australia, and which usually grow very readily. The seed 

 should be sown in shallow boxes, and the seedlings transplanted when 

 only a few inches high. 



Evonytnus (Buraing Bush, Spindle tree). — ^A genus of ornamental, 

 deciduous and evergreen shrubs and small trees. The flowers are 

 mostly small and inconspicuous, but in several of the species they are 

 succeeded by very brillianf^colored berries remaining on the plants untU 

 late in antnmn. Of the evergreen Japanese species (JE. Japonicus, E. 

 radicans, etc.), there are sevaral variegated-leaved varieties in cultivation, 

 some of them reijwing protection during tli« ■winter is qw Northera 



