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ORNAMENTAL UMBELLIFEROUS PLANTS. 



quence of the different composition of its foliage. Instead of 

 having oval or lance-shaped leaflets, its leaves are cut up into 

 narrow linear, that is, longish narrow segments. The mass of 

 the foliage is therefore less bold, but more compound, each of 

 the linear leafy segments in this species corresponding with one 

 of the teeth of the leaflets of the Tangier species. In the flower- 

 ing stems there is no striking difference ; but , nevertheless, from 

 the distinctness of their leafing both species may be planted with 

 advantage wherever there is space for them. 



These Fernlas have large, deeply-penetrating, fleshy roots, 

 and are perfectly hardy, as the fact of their continuing to grow 

 unharmed through the winter abundantly testifies. In the light 

 gravelly soil of this garden they flourish admirably, and in dry 

 seasons, when from the very nature of the soil almost everything 

 else becomes parched and withered, these Ferulas are found to 

 stand unaffected to any extent, probably in consequence of the 

 depth to which their roots naturally penetrate, and to which the 

 subsoil offers no obstruction. They may be transplanted if the 

 roots are taken up without being much broken or injured, but 

 this condition is not very easily fulfilled, and they are better left 

 undisturbed. For the same reason, though they might no doubt 

 be occasionally propagated by the common process of division, if 

 care were taken, and the wounds dried before replanting, this 

 mode of increase is not. to be recommended. When they pro- 

 duce flowers, seeds in abundance usually follow them, and from 

 these they may be largely multiplied ; but seedlings are some 

 time in acquiring the strength to produce vigorous flowering- 

 stems, such as are borne by old-established plants in a healthy 

 state of growth. 



These remarks have for their object to stimulate the disper- 

 sion from botanic gardens of some of the noble umbellifers, which 

 are at present to be seen only, or but seldom, except in them; 

 and to procure for these plants, some of the larger Ferulas espe- 

 cially, a general acknowledgment of the rank to which they are 

 entitled in ornamental gardening. Flowers — gaudy colours — are 

 too much relied upon for the decorations which art employs in the 

 garden ; while the grace of form or the nobility of aspect dis- 

 played by foliage and habit of growth, independent of flowers, 

 are held in too little estimation. 



