The Heliotrope. 
The celebrated Jussieu, while botanizing in the Cordilleras, suddenly inhaled 
the most delicious odors. He looked eagerly about to discover their origin, ex- 
pecting to find some brilliantly colored flower, but only perceived some large 
bushes bearing clusters of flowers of a pale lavender hue. On coming nearer he 
observed that the flowers turned towards the sun. Struck with this peculiarity, 
he gave the plant the name of Heliotrope, which is derived from the Greek words 
signifying "sun," and " I turn." Delighted with the charming acquisition, the 
learned botanist collected a quantity of seeds and sent them to the Jardin du 
Roi, at Paris, where it was first cultivated in Europe, in 1757. 
It soon became a treasured household flower, and is found in every window 
garden and bouquet. Three species have since been introduced from the south of 
Europe and Asia. 
The Heliotrope has been called emblematical of flattery. The Orientals say, 
that its perfumes elevate their souls toward heaven. 
It is prized more for its fragrance than the beauty of its flowers; though Vol- 
taireanum has deep purple flowers that are very handsome, and many of the later 
varieties are rich in coloring as well as in perfume. 
The cottagers of England used to call it " cherry pie," from a fancied resemb- 
lance of the fragrance of the flower to the odor of nicely cooked cheriies. The 
variety introduced by Jussieu was called Fleliotropium Pcruoiamim, and is still 
cultivated ; and it was many years before much change of color was effected in 
the flower, and now its shades are either lighter or of a rich purple. It will 
bloom the whole season; is never without flowers in California, where it grows 
in immense bushes, and blooms most luxuriantly. 
It is a favorite with every one, as its odors are not so strong as those of many 
other flowers, and pervade the atmosphere to a small extent. The older the 
plant, the more profuse are its flowers, but it must be kept in a healthy condition 
to bloom in perfection. 
Cuttings grown in open borders become very rank and succulent, but if kept 
over the next season, this disappears and a woody stem succeeds it. 
They can be grown as standards and make fine showy plants. Prune off all 
the lower branches, and let a single leading stem remain, with a head of several 
feet in diameter. Peruviannm is well adapted to train in this manner, for 
when the plant is three or four years old its branches assume a drooping habit. 
These plants require close pruning to flower profusely. If you desire to keep 
