FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 



25 



Greece, and are tender and of excellent taste, though some- 

 what thinner than those of the ordinary herbaceous species. 

 The shrub grows on stony rises, and the shoots are obtained 

 without cultivation. A, aphyllus L. and A. horridus L., ac- 

 cording to Dr. Keinhold, are utilised in the same manner, 

 and all may probably yield an improved produce by regular 

 and careful culture. 



Asparagus albus, Linn6. 



Countries around the Mediterranean Sea and Canary Islands. 

 Serves for garden hedges. 



Asparagus laricinus, Burchell. 



South Africa. Dr. Pappe observes of this shrubby species, 

 that with some other kinds of that country it produces shoots 

 of excellent tenderness and aromatic taste. 



Asparagus officinalis, Linne. 



Europe, North Africa, North Asia. The well-known As- 

 paragus plant, which, if naturalized on our coast, would aid in 

 binding the sand. The foliage contains Inosit-Sugar ; the 

 shoots contain Asparagin. Seaweeds are a good additional 

 material for forcing Asparagus. 



Astragalus arenarius, Linne. 



Europe and Western Asia. A perennial fodder-herb for our 

 sandy desert-country. The species, numerous in various 

 parts of Europe and Asia, in California and some other parts 

 of the globe, deserve attention for pastoral and agronomic 

 purposes. 



Astragalus Cephalonicus, Fischer. (A. aristatus, Sibthorp.) 

 Cephalonia. A small shrub, yielding a good Tragacanth; 

 and so probably also the true A. aristatus of THeritier is 

 producing it. 



Astragalus Cicer, Linri6. 



Middle and South Europe and Middle Asia. A nutritious 

 and tasty perennial herb, much sought by pastoral animals. 

 It requires, according to Langethal, deep friable grounds, and 

 like most leguminous herbs calcareous ingredients in the soil. 



Astragalus Creticus, Lamarck. 



Candia and Greece. A small bush, exuding the ordinary 

 vermicular Tragacanth. The pale is preferable to the brown 

 sort. 



Astragalus glycyphyllos, Linn6. 



Europe and North Asia. Succeeds on light soil, also in 

 forest regions. It has been recommended as a perennial 

 substantial fodder-plant. 



