a a a a 
ENCYCLOPADIA OF GARDENING. 
Aaron’s Beard (Hypericum calycinum).—See Hypericum. 
Aaron’s Rod (Verbascum Thapsus).—Sce Verbascum. 
oo Hellebore (Helleborus abchasicus).—See Helle- 
orus. 
Abele Tree (Populus alba).—See Populus. 
Abelia.—Ord. Caprifoliacew. Half-hardy flowering shrubs. 
Evergreen and deciduous. First introduced 1842, 
CULTURE: Compost, equal parts peat, loam, sand. Position, warm, 
sheltered walls outdoors. Plant, April or Oct. Prune slightly after 
flowering. Propagate by layers in March, or cuttings of firm shoots 
in cold frame in July. 
GREENHOUSE CULTURE: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf- 
mould & silver sand. Position, well-drained pots in sunny, cold house. 
Pot in Oct. Store in cold frame till Jan. Water moderately at first, 
freely when in full growth. Give little water during winter. Prune 
straggly growths after flowering. Stand outdoors during summer. 
SPECIES CULTIVATED: A. floribunda, rosy-purple, March, 3 ft., Mexico; 
Chinensis (Syn. A. pupae i lehe pink, fragrant, Sept., 5 ft., China; triflora, white 
and pink, Sept., 5 ft., Himalayas. 
Abies (Deal; Silver Fir).—Ord. Conifere. Hardy coniferous ever- 
green trees. First introduced 1603. 
CULTURE: Soil, sandy loam. Position, high, dry, open from sea 
coast. Plant, Oct. or April. A. pectinata (Common Silver Fir or Deal 
Tree), a good species to plant in mixed woods as shelter for game. 
Timber valuable for joists, rafters, and floor boards. Tree grows 
rapidly after first few years. Propagate by seeds sown 4in. deep in 
sandy loam in a temp. 55°, March, or outdoors in April. 
SPECIES CULTIVATED: A. amabilis (Red Fir), 100 to 150 ft., British Columbia; 
balsamea (Balsam Fir), 70 to 80 ft., N. America; brachyphylla, 120 ft., Japan; 
bracteata, 150 to 200 ft., California; cephalonica, 80 to 100 ft., Greece; concolor, 
100 to 150 ft., California; firma, 100 ft., Japan; Fraseri, 60 to 80 ft., Carolina; 
grandis, 200 ft., California; lowiana (Low’s Silver Fir), 300ft.,Carolina; magnifica, 
200 ft., N. California; Mariesi, 90 to 100 ft., Japan; nobilis, 200 ft., California; 
nordmanniana (Nordman’s Fir), 80 to 100 ft., Caucasus; pectinata, 80 to 100 ft., 
S. Europe; Pinsapo, 60 to 80ft., Spain; religiosa, 60 to 70 ft., Mexico; sachalin- 
ense, 130 ft., Isle of Sachalin; Veitchi, 120 to 140 ft., Japan; webbiana, 80 to 
90 ft., Himalayas. See also Picea. 
Abobra (Scarlet-fruited)—Ord. Cucurbitacez. Half-hardy climb- 
ing, tuberous-rooted perennial. Deciduous. Fruit, egg-shaped, scar- 
let; Sept. & Oct. 
CULTURE: Soil, sandy. Position, south wall. Plant, June; lift 
tubers Oct. & store in frost-proof place. Propagate by seeds sown in 
leaf-mould, loam & sand, temp. 65°, March. 
SPECIES OULTIVATED: A. viridiflora, green, fragrant, summer, 6 ft., 8. America, 
Abroma.—ord. Sterculiaceez. Stove-flowering plants. Ever- 
reen. First introduced 1770. 
CULTURE: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, sand. Pot & prune, 
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