This plant furnishes zedoary tubers, much used in India as aromatic tonics.
The jack of the Indian Archipelago, cultivated for its fruit, which is a favorite article among the natives, as also are the roasted seeds. The wood is much used, and resembles mah...
The mastic tree, a native of southern Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. Mastic is the resin of the tree and is obtained by making transverse incisions in the bark, from wh...
These hardy perennials are bestgrown in sandy loam and peat, and may be increased by cuttings placed under glass in a sheltered situation. Bloom in June or July. Height, 1 ft.
Among the best of our flowering shrubs, producing awealth of sweetly-scented flowers. For cultivation, see "Syringa."
A native of Malabar, where a kind of sago is prepared from the seeds, which are dried and powdered; medicinal properties are also attributed to the seeds.
A South American tree the inner bark of which furnishes a strong useful fiber, employed in the manufacture of ropes and various kinds of cordage. The petals of the flowers are cove...
This beautiful palm is called the Silver Thatch palm of Jamaica, and is said to yield the leaves so extensively used in the manufacture of hats, baskets, and other articles. It is...
These hardy annuals grow freely in any rich, damp soil;a shady position is indispensable. Height, 1/8 ft.
A hardy perennial which bears slender racemes ofwhite flowers in April. It makes a pretty rock plant, delights in a peat soil, and is increased by division of the root. Height, 6 i...
See "Anagallis."
native of western Asia, but now grows abundantly in Italy, Spain, and the south of France. Among the ancients the myrtle was held sacred to Venus and was a plant of considerable im...
The large, brilliant,orange-red flowers of this plant are very effective in the border, and the bloom is continuous during the greater part of the summer. The seed is rather slow t...
The Quillai or Cully of the Chilians. Its bark is called soap-bark, and is rough and dark-colored externally, but internally consists of numerous regular whitish or yellowish layer...
See "Carnations."
Of wild, graceful, luxuriant and slendergrowth. Fine for covering walls and fences, festooning arches, etc. Plant at the beginning of October in an eastern aspect or at the base of...
Cape Jasmines, so called from a supposition that they were natives of the Cape of Good Hope. The genus belongs to the cinchona family. _G. lucida_ furnishes a fragrant resin somewh...
This shrub likes an open loamysoil; flowers in July, and is propagated by layers. Height, 6 ft.
This half-hardy Hemp is grown forits ornamental foliage, and is treated as above described. Height, 6 ft.
An ornamental tree; useful in theshrubbery in its earlier stages, as it will grow in any soil. It may be increased by seed, budding, or grafting; flowers in April. Height, 35 ft.
Very pretty and free-blooming hardy annuals.Sow the seed in the open in autumn for an early display of flowers, or in March for a later one. Thin out to 2 ft. apart. Bloom in July....
This thrives well in anylight, rich soil, or in loam and peat. Keep it moderately moist throughout the winter, using tepid water. In summer any of the artificial manures may be use...
Neat-growing, dwarf evergreen shrubs having Laurel-likeleaves, and producing a profusion of scarlet berries in winter. They succeed in any ordinary soil, but thrive best in peat an...
See "Helianthus."
By planting a few of the more distinct speciesadapted for such positions, bogs or marshes may be made interesting. The following plants are suitable:--Arundo Donax, Bambusa Fortune...
This unquestionably is the grandest of allgrasses, and is sufficiently hardy to endure most of our winters. It is, however, desirable to give it some protection. It requires a deep...
A stove deciduous shrub which thrives best in amixture of loam and peat. Cuttings in sand will strike if placed under glass and in heat. It flowers in April. Height, 10 ft.
This is very common as a hedge or fence plant in the West Indies. The leaves, when beaten with a blunt mallet and macerated in water, produce fibers from which beautiful fabrics ar...
A native of the East Indies, where the roots are used in medicine as a febrifuge and alexipharmic.
The wood of this plant furnishes Surinam quassia. It is destitute of smell, but has an intensely bitter taste, and is used as a tonic. The root has also reputed medicinal value, as...