AMP 
ARA 
siderably in stature, all having bluish 
purple flowers. Propagation is easy, 
either by cuttings or layers. 
AMPELOPSIS, Virginian Creeper 
(Miciiaijx.) Nat. Ord. Vitacece. Hardy, 
deciduous, climbing plants, well adapted 
for covering walls, arbours, and the like ; 
their suitability for such purposes is 
evidenced in the frequent employment of 
one species, the A. liederacea , or quinque- 
falius, as it is more often called; they 
grow fast in any soil, and in the autumn 
the crimson tint assumed by the foliage 
is very pleasing; they have also the 
advantage of requiring but little atten¬ 
tion, as their tendrils and stem-roots 
enable them to lay hold of any surface 
and support themselves. They may be 
increased to any extent by cuttings or 
layers. 
AMYGDALUS, Almond (Linn.) Nat. 
Ord. Rosacere. The ornamental portion 
of this genus is highly esteemed for the 
beautiful display of gaily-coloured blos¬ 
soms it affords at a very early part of the 
year. The common and double flowered 
almond, the double blossom peach, and 
the dwarf and double dwarf almond, are 
all favorites in the flower garden and 
shrubbery. They delight in friable 
loamy soil, and should have an airy 
position open to the course of the sun, 
but sheltered on the northern side. Pro¬ 
pagation is usually effected by budding 
upon the common plum stock, the 
stronger growing kinds at the height of 
standards, and the dwarfs considerably 
lower; their relative strength suiting the 
former for the interior of small groups 
of trees, and the lower growing kinds 
finding a fit position near the front of 
such masses, or the centre of flower-beds. 
The common almond produces seed 
abundantly when at maturity, and may 
be increased by its means; the product 
forming excellent stocks on which to 
work the other varieties. 
ANDROMEDA. (Linn.) Nat. Ord. 
Vricacea!. Yery interesting evergreen 
shrubs, with white or pale pink flowers 
plentifully produced; most of them hardy, 
and many of neat ornamental growth. 
They require a peat soil to grow them 
well, and the situation should be a 
moist one, for several are strictly marsh 
plants, and those which are not have been 
obtained from Alpine regions, where the 
atmosphere is ever filled with moisture. 
Such species as angustifolia, acuminata , 
calyculata, and speciosa are good occu¬ 
pants of the central portions of large 
American beds, as they grow fast and 
rise sufficiently high for such a position; 
other and more dwarf species fitted for 
the front rank of such groups may be 
found in such as Cateshm, axillaris , poli- 
folia, or the beautiful A. jloribunda ; the 
last is besides a most excellent forcing 
plant, indeed, is highly ornamental in 
any position. A. hypnoides overspreads 
the ground like a moss, and adorns it 
with pretty red flowers in June and July. 
Increase is readily obtained by layers; 
seedlings may also be obtained, but are 
troublesome. 
ARAD C ARIA. (Ruiz and Pavon.) 
Nat. Ord. Conifer a. The only hardy 
species is A. imbricata, the Chili Pine, one 
of the most noble and strikingly-orna- 
mental trees yet known to us. Its erect, 
straight stem, marked with the scars of 
fallen leaves, its horizontal spreading 
branches, gradually lessening in length 
as they approach the summit, all armed 
with rigid angular leaves of the deepest 
green, and of extraordinary hardness and 
durability, conspire to make it remarkable 
in every situation. It requires a free 
loamy soil, into which it roots to a great 
extent, and then grows fast. The plant, 
both from its scarcity and peculiar out¬ 
line, is adapted chiefly for planting singly, 
and should be elevated somewhat as be¬ 
fore described; specimens which have 
been grown in pots for some time, will 
be found to have their roots spirally 
twisted, because of the obstruction of¬ 
fered to their outward course; in plant¬ 
ing, these must be carefully straightened, 
or they continue to grow in the same 
manner, and consequently never obtain 
a firm hold of the ground, and the tree 
is then subject to be displaced or up¬ 
rooted by winds; the same observation 
applies to all potted plants of the pine 
tribe, for it is remarked that in nearly 
every case they retain the inclination as 
long as they live; and hence the neces- 
