DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. 105 



The Ampelopsis Virginaca, <>r Virginia Creeper. — lis leaves 

 in autumn are a deep crimson; and ampelopsis vertchie, which 

 comes Ironi Japan, are very fine plants for covering, and may 

 be seen to advantage growing on the dairy cottage building. 



The bignonia radicans, or trumpet flower, is very showy and 

 bears a bright orange flower early in summer. 



The celastrus scandens, or American bitter sweet; bearing 

 bright berries, brilliant orange color all the Fall, and resem- 

 bling those of the fire bush. The wistaria japonica, or glycina, 

 bearing white flowers. The wistaria sinensis, or Chinese blue 

 flower; periploca graeca, or virgin silk; clematis virginica, or 

 virgin's bower ; kasinum, or jasmine, bearing white flowers; 

 lonecera belgicum, or honeysuckle, striped monthly; and 

 aurea reticulata, or golden leaf, are all in the same neighbor- 

 hood. 



The akebia quinata, with flowers of deep chocolate color ; a 

 fine specimen is growing under the weeping birch at road stop 

 on west drive, near main entrance. 



There are also many on the rustic shelter near the play- 

 ground and dairy cottage arbors. 



Mouse Plants. 



The Agave Americana, or American Aloe. — Two fine speci- 

 mens of this plant have been presented to the Park Com- 

 missioners. 



Their appearance would indicate an age of about thirty 

 years. 



The large leaves of the agave render it by no means adapted 

 to the greenhouse, but as it only requires protection from frost, 

 it may be kept in the cellar or potting shed, where there is but 

 little light during the winter, and in summer may be set out 

 on the lawn. It requires but very little water while in a state 

 of repose, but a rich and loamy soil is necessary for its proper 

 growth. 



It was formerly supposed that it blossomed only once in a 

 hundred years, but this is an error, as it sometimes produces 



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