The nutmeg tree. The seed of this plant is the nutmeg of commerce, and mace is the seed cover of the same. When the nuts are gathered they are dried and the outer shell of the seed...
The soapberry tree. The fruit of this plant is about the size of a large gooseberry, the outer covering or shell of which contains a saponaceous principle in sufficient abundance t...
See "Cistus" and "Helianthemum."
This tree produces the hard urn-shaped fruits known in Brazil as monkey cups. The seeds are eatable and sold as Sapucaia nuts. The fruit vessels are very peculiar, being 6 inches i...
This plant belongs to the cinchonaceous family, and is said to possess properties similar to those of the true cinchona. The bark is exceedingly bitter.
A half-hardy, annual, ornamental grassbearing clusters of beautiful pearl-like seeds. Sow in a warm spot in April, barely covering the seed with fine soil, and keep the surface of...
An ornamental hardy perennial. It willgrow in any garden soil, and may be propagated from seed sown either in the autumn or spring, or by dividing the root. It produces its flowers...
See "Smilax."
A hardy perennial which may be grown under theshade of trees in ordinary soil. It produces its flowers in March, and is increased by dividing the roots in autumn. Height, 6 in.
A low-growing tree of the West Indies, which produces an edible fruit called the Barbadoes cherry.
See "Erythrina."
An ornamental hardy perennial,often found on English rocks. It may be grown in any light, rich soil, is easily raised from seed, and blooms in June. Height, 1-1/2 ft.
A very decorative climber, hardy in nature butrequiring a good amount of sunshine to make it bloom. A well-drained, sandy soil is best for its growth, and it can be increased by cu...
The hardy perennials like a light, rich soil,and need to be frequently divided. The best time to divide them is just after they have done flowering, when they should be potted off,...
A South American palm growing in the underwood of the forests on the Amazon and Rio Negro. The Indians use its slender stems for making their blow pipes or gravatanas, through whic...
This is the celebrated henna of the East. The use of the powdered leaves as a cosmetic is very general in Asia and northern Africa, the practice having descended from very remote a...
See "Crambe Cordifolia."
See "Trientalis."
The tamarind tree. There are two varieties of this species. The East Indian variety has long pods, with six to twelve seeds. The variety cultivated in the West Indies has shorter p...
Hardy perennials which, though rather straggling, deserveto be cultivated on account of the brilliancy of their flowers. L. Chalcedonica, commonly known as Ragged Robin, is perhaps...
This is an attractive border biennial,bearing from March to June white campanula-like flowers tinged with purple, on erect stems. It is not particular as to soil, but requires a so...
Syringe with a strong decoction of green leaves and tenderbranches of the elder-tree, or with a solution of nitre made in the proportion of 1 oz. of nitre to each gallon of water....
The hardy perennials are suitable for the front of flowerborders or rock-work, but the smaller species succeed best when grown in pots in a mixture of loam, peat, and sand. The her...
The velvet tamarind, so called, from the circumstance that its seed-pods are covered with a beautiful black velvet down. The seeds are surrounded by a farinaceous pulp of an agreea...
A fine, autumn-blooming plant, bearing long spikesof fragrant creamy-white flowers and curiously-spotted stems. It may be grown in any rich soil. Height, 2 ft.
A singular plant of the _Coniferae_ family, called the Kauri pine. It forms a tree 150 to 200 feet in height, and produces a hard, brittle resin-like copal, which is used in varnis...
A stove grass which will grow in any soil,but requires a plentiful supply of water. It is increased by dividing the roots. Height, 2 ft.
A tropical plant, bearing the seeds known as nicker nuts, or bonduc nuts. These are often strung together for necklaces. The kernels have a very bitter taste, and the oil obtained...
The screw pine of the Mauritius, where it is largely cultivated for its leaves, which are manufactured into bags or sacks for the exportation of sugar. They are also used for makin...
A South American plant. The flowers are used in perfumery, and furnish the scent known as Frangipane or Frangipani. In Jamaica the plant is known as red jasmine.