334 PBOPAGATIOK OF PLANTS. 



Bhoidd be stored in a warm, dry place in winter. New varieties are 

 raised from seed, which should be soaked in warm or tepid water for a 

 day or two before sowing. 



Scrophulariaceee (Figwort Family). — A very large and widely dis- 

 tributed order of herbs, shrubs, and occasionally trees. The flowers are 

 usually two-lipped, and with an irregular monopetalous coroUa. An- 

 tirrhinwn (Snapdragon), Calceolaria (Lady's Slipper), Glidone (Turtle- 

 head), Digitalis (Foxglove), Maurandia, including Lopkospermum, Mimit- 

 Ivs (Monkey Flower), and Pentstenum, are well-known representatives of 

 this family. Varieties ai'e easily raised from seeds, and are then propa- 

 gated by cuttings of the succulent shoots planted under glass ; or, with 

 the hardy genera, by dividing the roots when the plants ai-e at rest. 



SolanacetB (Nightshade Family). — A very large order, mostly herbs, 

 with rank-scented foliage, often contaiDing nai'cotic or poisonous proper- 

 ties, as in A'icoiiareo (Tobacco;, Atropa (Belladonna), and Datura (Stram- 

 onium). Several genera have given us very valuable economic plants, 

 such as the Tomato, Egg Plant, Pepper ( Capsicum), Potato, and Tobacco. 

 Among those genera cultivated principally for oi-namental pm-poses, the 

 Rtunias, Nierembergias and Oestrums, are the most common in gardens 

 and greenhouses. They ai-e readily propagated by green cuttings under 

 glass, and the tuberous rooted by divisions. The best and most simple 

 method of perpetuating varieties of the Tomato is by cuttings, which 

 strike root very readily in frames dmdng the summer or in the green- 

 house in winter. 



XTmbelllfercB (Parsley Family). — A large family, mostly innoxious, 

 biennial or perennial herbs, but a few are poisonous, such as the 

 Poison Hemlock ( Conium maoulatum), the Water Hemlock ( Cicuta macur- 

 lata), and the Water Parsnip (Sium lineare). But this family contains 

 many genera of great economic value, such as the common garden 

 Carrot, Caraway, Coriander, Fennel, and Parsnip. The cultivation and 

 propagation of these plants are too well known to be considered in a 

 work of this kind. 



Urticacece (Nettle Family). — A large order of several sub-families, 

 such as the Elm family. Fig family, etc. The true Nettles are annual 

 or .perennial herbs with a fibrous bark, as in the JSaehmeria nivea, or 

 Samie plant, of China, which yields one of the most valuable of textile 

 fibers, and is woven into, grass cloth. It is not hardy in our Northern 

 States, but Is now being extensively cultivated in our Southern. It is 

 propagated by seed, cuttings of the young shoots and of the subter- 

 ranean stems. The Hop plant also belongs to this family, and is 

 usually propagated by dividing the roots, or by removing the young 

 sprouts with a few roots attached, 



Valerinacece (Valerian Family). — ^A small order of herbs, and only 

 a few genera represented among cultivated plants. The common garden 

 Valerian ( Valeriana offlcinaMs), is usually cultivated as a medicinal plant; 

 its flowers are very sweet scented, and its roots have a very strong odor. 



