ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GARDENING. 
GREENHOUSE SPECIES: A. ethiopicus, 10 ft., S. Africa; medeolioides (Syn. 
Myrsiphyllum or Medeola asparagoides), commonly called ‘‘ Smilax,” 6 to 10 ft., 
8. Africa; plumosus, 4 to 10 ft., S. Africa, and its varieties, nanus and tenuissimus ; 
scandens, S. Africa; Sprengeri, 1 to 3 ft., Natal: verticillatus, 10 ft., S. Africa. 
HARDY SPECIES: A. Broussonettii, 10 ft., red berried, Canary Islands; 
officinalis (Edible Asparagus), Europe. : 
Aspen (Populus tremula)—See Populus. 
Asperula (Woodruff; Squinancy-wort).—Ord. Rubiacew. Hardy 
herbaceous perennials & annuals. Foliage fragrant when dry. 
CULTURE: Soil, light, rich. Position under the shade of trees or 
rockeries or in open borders. Plant, Oct., Nov. Propagate perennial 
species by division of roots in March; perennials & annuals by seeds 
sown 4 in. deep in open border in April. 
PERENNIAL SPECIES CULTIVATED: A. arcadiensis, pink, April, 3 in., 
Greece; cyananchica (Squinancy-wort), white, June, 9 in., Europe (Britain); 
odorata (Sweet Woodruff), Mey, 6 in., Europe (Britain). 
ANNUAL SPECIES CULTIVATED: A. azurea, blue, summer, fragrant, 6 to 
10 in., Syria. 
Asphodel (Asphodelus luteus).—See Asphodelus. 
Asphodeline (Yellow Asphodel —Ord. Liliaceae. Hardy her- 
baceous perennials. Tirst introduced 1396. 
CULIURE: Svil, ordinary, rich. Position, open or shady borders. 
Plant, Oct. cr March. Propagate by division of roots, Oct. or March. 
SPECIES CULTIVATED: A. imperialis, pink, July and Aug., 6 to 8 in., Cilicia; 
lutea, yellow, July and Aug., 3 to 4 ft., Mediterranean Region; lutea flore-pleno, 
flowers double; taurica (Syn Asphodelus taurica), white July, 1 to 2 ft., Orient. 
Asphodelus (Asphodel; King’s Spear; Silver Rod).—Ord. 
Liliacee. Hardy herbaceous perennials. First introduced 1596. 
_ CULTURE: Soil, ordinary. Position, shady or open borders. Plant 
in autumn or spring. Propagate by division of roots Oct. or April; 
seeds sown in a cold frame in March. 
SPECIES CULTIVATED: A. acanlis, pink, May, 12 to 18 in., N. Africa; albus, 
white, May, 2 ft., Europe; ramosus, white, May, 4 to 5 ft., 8. Europe. 
Aspidistra (Parlour Palm).—Ord. Liliacew. Greenhouse or 
dwelling-room plants. Evergreen. Orn. foliage. First introduced 
1822. Leaves, feos, green, or variegated with white. 
CULTURE: Compost, two parts loam, one part leaf-mould & sand. 
Repot in March. Water freely in summer, moderately in winter. 
Room plants best watered by immersing pot for quarter of an hour in 
tepid water. Temp.. March to Sept. 55° to 60°; Sept. to March 50” to 
55°. Propagate by division of roots in March. 
SPECIES CULTIVATED: A. elatior, 1 to 2 ft., Japan, leaves green; elatior 
variegata, leaves variegated; lurida, leaves green, 1 to 2 ft., China; lurida varie- 
gata, leaves striped yellow. Last two those generally grown. 
Aspidium (Buckler, Shield or Wood Fern).—Ord. Filices. Stove, 
greenhouse, & hardy ferns. Ht., 1 to 3 ft. 
CULTURE OF STOVE AND GREENHOUSE SPECIES: Compost, 
two parts peat, one part loam, silver sand, & charcoal. Pot, March. 
Water freely in summer, moderately in winter. Shade from sun. 
Temp. for stove species, Sept. to March 60° to 70°; March to Sept. 70° 
to 80°; greenhouse, Sept. to March 50° to 55°, March to Sept. 55° 
to 65°. Propagate by spores sown in sandy peat at any time; division 
in March. 
CULTURE OF HARDY SPECIES: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, 
leaf-mould & coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady 
spots. Plant in April. Water freely in dry weather. Propagate 
by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown iu cold frame. 
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