Part 35

=ARTEMISIA= (from Artemis, one of the names of Diana). Mugwort; Southernwood; Wormwood. ORD. _Compositæ_. A very large genus of mostly hardy herbaceous perennials, few of which, comparatively speaking, are worth growing. Flower-heads disposed in spikes, or racemes, and these are usually arranged in panicles; pappus none; involucre few-flowered, ovate or rounded, imbricated; florets of the disk all tubular; of the ray, if any, slender, awl-shaped. Leaves alternate, variously lobed. All the species are of the easiest possible culture in any dry soil. The shrubby kinds are best propagated by cuttings; the herbaceous ones, by dividing at the root; and the annuals, by seeds.

=A. Abrotanum= (aromatic herb).* Southernwood. _fl.-heads_ yellowish. August to October. _l._, lower ones bipinnate; upper ones pinnate, with the segments hair-like. Stem straight. _h._ 2ft. to 4ft. Europe, 1548. A deciduous shrub; well known for its fragrance.

=A. A. humile= (low). A low spreading variety. _h._ 1-1/2ft.

=A. A. tobolskianum= (Tobolskian). A much more vigorous growing variety than the last, and larger in all its parts than the type.

=A. alpina= (alpine).* _fl.-heads_ yellow, solitary, on long slender stalks; scales of involucre lanceolate. Summer. _l._ pinnate, covered with whitish silky hairs; lobes linear, entire. _h._ 6in. to 10in. Caucasus, 1804. Dwarf, with a very tufted habit.

=A. anethifolia= (Anethum-leaved). _fl.-heads_ yellowish-green, small; panicle very large, densely packed, nearly 2ft. long. Autumn. _l._ chiefly cauline, much divided into thread-like segments, greyish-green. Stem shrubby at the base, nearly glabrous, branching at the top. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. Siberia, 1816.

=A. argentea= (silvery).* _fl.-heads_ pale yellow, roundish, closely packed. July. _l._ ovate-oblong, very freely divided, densely clothed with soft silvery hairs. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Madeira, 1777. A very pretty species, requiring a warm sunny position on the rockery.

=A. cana= (hoary).* _fl.-heads_ yellow, small, uninteresting, ovate, in a close spiky panicle. August. _l._ silky, hoary; lower ones wedge-shaped, sharply three-cleft; cauline ones linear-lanceolate, three-nerved. Stem ascending; branches erect. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. North America, 1800. This is a very distinct species, and its silvery leaves and stems render it well worthy of cultivation.

=A. cœrulescens= (bluish).* _fl.-heads_ bluish, erect, cylindrical. August. _l._ hoary, most of them lanceolate, entire, tapering at the base; lower ones variously divided. _h._ 2ft. South Europe. An ornamental evergreen shrub.

=A. Dracunculus.=* Tarragon. _fl.-heads_ whitish green; racemes panicled; heads sub-globose. July. _l._, radical ones three-fid; cauline ones sessile, linear or linear-oblong, acute, entire, toothed. _h._ 2ft. South Europe, 1548. _See_ =Tarragon=.

=A. frigida= (frigid). _fl.-heads_ yellow, uninteresting, small, roundish, racemosely panicled. August. _l._ pinnate; segments narrow, silvery. _h._ 1ft. Siberia, 1826. A pretty creeping, herbaceous plant.

=A. maritima= (maritime). _fl.-heads_ brown; racemes oblong, erect or drooping. August and September. _l._ downy, bipinnatifid, oblong; segments linear. Britain. A much branched, erect, or decumbent plant, excellent for rough rockwork or very dry banks, etc.

=A. Mutellina= (Mutellina).* _fl.-heads_ yellowish-green; lower ones stalked, upper ones sessile. July. _l._ all palmate, multifid, white. Stem quite simple. _h._ 6in. European Alps, 1815.

=A. pontica= (Pontine). _fl.-heads_ yellow, roundish, stalked, nodding. September. _l._ downy beneath; cauline ones bipinnate; leaflets linear. _h._ 3ft. Austria, 1570.

=A. rupestris= (rock). _fl.-heads_ brown, globose, stalked, nodding. August. _l._ sub-pubescent; cauline ones pinnatifid; leaflets linear, acute. _h._ 6in. Norway, &c., 1748.

=A. scoparia= (twiggy-branched). _fl.-heads_ small, whitish; panicle broad, densely packed, about 1-1/2ft. long. Autumn. _l._ much divided; segments hair-like; lower branches very slender. _h._ 3ft. to 5ft. East Europe.

=A. spicata= (spicate). _fl.-heads_ brown, spicate. June and July. _l._ hoary; radical ones palmate multifid; cauline ones pinnatifid; upper linear, entire, blunt. Stem quite simple. _h._ 1ft. Switzerland, 1790.

=A. Stelleriana= (Steller's).* _fl.-heads_ yellow, uninteresting, round, somewhat erect. Summer. _l._, lower ones spathulate-incised; upper ones obtusely lobed; end lobes often confluent, about 2in. long, silvery white. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. Siberia.

=A. tanacetifolia= (Tanacetum-leaved). _fl.-heads_ brownish; racemes simple, terminal. Summer. _l._ bipinnate; lobes linear sub-lanceolate, entire, acuminated, rather downy. Stem sometimes branching at the base, herbaceous. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Siberia, 1768.

=A. vulgaris= (common).* Mugwort. _fl.-heads_ yellow, somewhat racemed, ovate. August. _l._ pinnatifid; segments white, and downy beneath. Stems 3ft. to 4ft. high, furrowed. Britain. The variegated form of this species exhibits a very pleasing contrast. There is also a pretty variety with golden leaves.

=ARTHROPHYLLUM MADAGASCARIENSE.= _See_ =Phyllarthron Bojeriana=.

=ARTHROPODIUM= (from _arthron_, a joint, and _pous_, a foot; the footstalks of the flowers being jointed). ORD. _Liliaceæ_. Very pretty greenhouse herbaceous perennials, allied to _Anthericum_. Flowers purplish or white, in loose racemes. Leaves grass-like, radical. They thrive well in a compost of sandy loam and peat, and may be increased freely by divisions or seeds.

=A. cirratum= (curled). _fl._ white; racemes divided; bracteas leafy. May. _l._ lanceolate, ensiform, spreading, 1ft. long. _h._ 3ft. New Zealand, 1821.

=A. fimbriatum= (fringed). _fl._ white. July. _h._ 1-1/2ft. New Holland, 1822.

=A. neo-caledonicum= (New Caledonian).* _fl._ small, white, on a much-branched, many-flowered panicle. May. _l._ tufted, linear-lanceolate, barred with black linear markings near the base. _h._ 1-1/2ft. New Caledonia, 1877.

=A. paniculatum= (panicled).* _fl._ white; racemes divided; pedicels clustered; inner sepals crenulate. May. _l._ narrowly lanceolate. _h._ 3ft. New South Wales, 1800. _A. minus_ is a small form of this species.

=A. pendulum= (pendulous).* _fl._ white, clustered in threes, pendulous. June to August. _l._ linear, keeled, shorter than the branched scape. _h._ 1-1/2ft. New Holland, 1822.

=ARTHROPTERIS.= _See_ =Nephrodium= and =Nephrolepis=.

=ARTHROSTEMMA= (from _arthron_, a joint, and _stemon_, a stamen; in reference to the stamens or connectives being jointed). ORD. _Melastomaceæ_. Beautiful stove or greenhouse evergreen shrubs. Tube of calyx turbinate or campanulate, usually clothed with bristles, pili, or scales; lobes four, lanceolate, permanent, without any appendages between them; petals four. A mixture of loam, peat, and sand, suits them best; and cuttings of small firm side shoots will root, in April or August, under a hand glass in sandy soil. Only three or four out of the half-dozen species belonging to this genus have been as yet introduced.

=A. fragile= (brittle). _fl._ rosy; cymes loose, terminal, few-flowered; calyx glandular. July. _l._ ovate-cordate, acute, five-nerved, serrated; branches tetragonal, beset with glandular hairs. _h._ 3ft. Mexico, 1846. Stove species.

=A. nitida= (glossy-leaved). _fl._ lilac; peduncles axillary towards the top of the branches, three-flowered, longer than the petioles. June. _l._ ovate, acute, serrulated, glabrous on both surfaces, shining above, but glandularly hispid on the nerves beneath. Stems shrubby, erect, and are, as well as the branches, tetragonally winged, beset with coloured hairs. _h._ 2ft. to 3ft. Buenos Ayres, 1829 greenhouse species.

=A. versicolor= (changeable-flowered). _fl._, petals obovate, ciliated, at first white, but at length becoming reddish, terminal, solitary. September. _l._ petiolate, ovate, serrulated, five-nerved, discoloured beneath. Plant shrubby; hairy. _h._ 1ft. Brazil (on the sea shore), 1825. Stove species.

=ARTHROTAXIS.= _See_ =Athrotaxis=.

=ARTICHOKE, GLOBE.= (_Cynara Scolymus_, a cultivated form of _C. Cardunculus_). As a vegetable, the Globe Artichoke is cultivated for the use of the immature flower-heads, and is highly esteemed. A good open position, free from overhanging trees, is best suited for its culture generally, but, by planting successional suckers in different aspects, the season may be considerably prolonged. The soil must be of good depth, rich, and not too heavy. It may be greatly improved for Artichoke culture by the addition of sea-weeds or salt applied as manure.

_Preparation of Soil._ Trench the ground two spits deep if possible, mixing a liberal dressing of well-rotted manure in autumn, and ridge up for the winter, to sweeten. Crude manure full of straw, leaves, and sticks, often induce fungoid growths, and are most injurious to the crowns of the plants. Clay or stiff loam is about the worst soil on which to attempt the culture of this vegetable; this drawback may, however, to some extent be alleviated by the addition and thorough amalgamation of a light free soil or liberal dressings of sandy road drifts, or similar materials. An ill-drained soil is also fatal to good results. During hot, dry weather, the plants are greatly benefited by copious applications of clear water and dilute liquid manure; and this must be especially attended to on such soils as are liable to burn or dry up in summer.

_Cultivation._ When the beds have been properly prepared, the plants should be put in them in April or May. Place three together in rows between 3ft. and 4ft. apart, and about 3ft. from plant to plant. Water-in carefully to settle the soil around the roots, and apply a mulching of half-decayed manure, to prevent an undue evaporation of moisture. During hot, dry weather, give liberal supplies of water, and the plants will become established as fine stools the first season. A few heads will probably be produced the first year; but there will not be much of a crop until the second season, when five or six good heads will be got from each plant, and for three or four years the produce will be large if the beds are properly attended to; after which time it will become desirable to make up new plantations. In October or November, it will be necessary to apply a good mulching of straw or fern to the beds, to protect the plants from frost. In April, all this litter should be cleaned off, a dressing of rotten manure applied, and the beds forked over and kept clean for the rest of the season, treating as before described. Great care must be taken to remove the heads as soon as they are in a fit state; and, when the whole of them are removed from the stems, cut the latter out as low as possible. Globe Artichokes will keep for some considerable time if laid in a cool place, although they will deteriorate in quality. These plants may be used in the background of flower borders in the kitchen garden, their handsome foliage being peculiarly well adapted for such purposes, whilst their economical value is also secured. See Fig. 151. Where there is plenty of room in light, warm sheds, orchard houses, or other places where frost can be kept out, some stools can be taken up with the root intact in the early part of November, placed in boxes of soil, and well watered-in. When drained, the boxes may be put in any of those positions for their winter quarters, and, if kept moist, will develop much earlier than the outdoor crops, provided they are planted out early in April on a warm border, and protected with mats when the weather is cold. Propagation may be effected by seeds, or by suckers from the old stools, the latter being the better plan. In the former case, sow the seeds in March, on a gentle hotbed, and prick the seedlings off singly, when large enough, into small pots. Harden off by the last week in May, and plant out in threes as previously recommended, protecting the plants from late frosts. During the growing season, give an abundance of water and liquid manure mulching, to prevent undue evaporation. In November, well cover with dry litter which will not heat; and, in hard frosts, or heavy snow, throw a few mats over the beds, uncovering at the same time as recommended above for the older plants. To propagate by rooted offsets or suckers, take up and divide the stools, when they have made a fair amount of growth in April or early in May, separating the suckers with as many roots and as much soil adhering to them as possible. The old woody portions are of little use, but they may be replanted to give off a fresh supply of suckers for the next year, if required. Propagation by suckers, if they are to be obtained, has many advantages; but care must be taken, in removing them from old plants, that some roots are attached, or growth will be uncertain. Seeds generally produce a large percentage of plants that are useless, and this is not found out until the flower-heads appear. On the other hand, suckers reproduce the parent plant, and if these are previously selected, the superior stock is thereby perpetuated.

_Sorts._ The Green and Purple are the best for ordinary purposes; and of these preference should be given to the former. _See also_ =Cynara=.

=ARTICHOKE, JERUSALEM= (_Helianthus tuberosus_). A hardy tuberous-rooted herbaceous perennial, native of Brazil. The roots are used as a vegetable principally during the winter, sometimes as a dish, but more generally for flavouring purposes. Plants will grow in almost any position, but the best results and largest tubers are obtained where they receive plenty of room and liberal treatment. Their culture has been recommended as a substitute for the potato, but they are not likely to take the place of this vegetable, the flavour being disliked by many persons. A few are, however, generally acceptable.

_Cultivation._ To ensure the most successful results, trench over a piece of ground in autumn, and give a light dressing of manure. Fork over in March; at the same time plant good-shaped tubers (see Fig. 152) in rows about 3ft. apart, and allow from 18in. to 2ft. between the tubers in the rows. Keep clear of weeds; and, as soon as the foliage is yellow, in the latter part of the autumn, the roots will be fit for use. The best plan with this crop is to leave it in the ground till wanted, or till the end of February, and then to take up every tuber, replanting those which are wanted for stock, and storing the others away in a cold dry place. When they commence growth, they turn black, and are of little use for cooking, save for flavouring soups. This vegetable has of late years grown into favour as a marketable crop, and the demand seems to be increasing. Considering its very easy culture, it is fairly remunerative. _See also_ =Helianthus=.

=ARTICULATE, ARTICULATED.= Jointed; having joints.

=ARTILLERY PLANT.= _See_ =Pilea microphylla=.

=ARTOCARPEÆ.= A tribe of the large order _Urticaceæ_.

=ARTOCARPUS= (from _artos_, bread, and _carpos_, fruit; the fruit, when baked, resembling bread). Bread Fruit. SYNS. _Polyphema_, _Rademachia_, _Rima_. ORD. _Urticaceæ_. TRIBE _Artocarpeæ_. Included in this most remarkable tribe, in addition to the Bread Fruit Tree, is the virulent poisonous _Antiaris toxicaria_, and the economic Cow Tree (_Brosimum Galactodendron_), of Caraccas. A genus of stove evergreen trees, requiring a high and very moist atmosphere, a copious supply of water, perfect drainage, and a compost of two parts rich loam and one of leaf mould, with the addition of a little silver sand. Under all conditions, this genus is difficult to propagate; the young and slender lateral growths are adapted for cuttings; and suckers may be utilised when procurable, which is very rare.

=A. Cannoni= (Cannon's).* _l._ alternate, petiolate; petiole and midrib bright red; upper surface glossy, of a rich, full bronzy crimson hue, beautifully tinted with purple; under surface bright vinous red. The leaves vary much in form; some are simple and cordate at the base, with the apex irregularly lobate; some have the apex regularly three-lobed, with short, entire lobes; and others, again, are deep three-lobed, being divided nearly to the base, the segments, of which the centre one is largest, being slightly sinuate-lobed. _h._ 7ft. Society Islands, 1877. This is a most distinct and handsome ornamental-leaved plant.

=A. incisa= (incised).* True Bread Fruit. _l._ from 2ft. to 3ft. long, deeply lobed or incised, deep green on the upper side, paler below. _h._ 50ft. South Sea Islands, 1793. This is a noble tree when full grown, and forms a most distinct and beautiful stove plant. The extraordinary fruit is produced from the axils of the leaves in large globular heads, and is highly valued as an article of food in its native country.

=A. integrifolia= (entire-leaved). _l._ oblong, undivided, sinuated, scabrous, downy beneath. _h._ 30ft. India, 1778.

=A. laciniata metallica= (laciniate, metallic). _l._ bronzy above, reddish purple beneath. Polynesia.

=ARUM= (formerly _aron_, and probably of Egyptian extraction). ORD. _Aroideæ_. A large genus of ornamental or curious, hardy, greenhouse or stove perennials, with thick rhizomes and pedate or hastate leaves. Spathe large, convolute; spadix naked and club-shaped at the top. They are all of easy culture, and the indoor species will thrive with such treatment as is given to _Alocasias_, _Caladiums_, &c. Rich soil is one of the first conditions of success. Like most plants grown for the beauty of their foliage, rapid and free growth is necessary. A compost of good rich loam, with a third of sweet manure, thoroughly rotted, or leaf mould, with some sharp sand, is very suitable. Plenty of moisture is necessary during the growing season, after which the tender kinds should be kept moderately dry, warm, and at rest during the winter. The hardy kinds may be left in the ground. Propagated by seeds or division of the roots--usually the latter. The best time to divide them is just as they commence their new growth, securing as many roots as possible to each division. Any rootless pieces should be placed in heat shortly after removal; this hastens the formation of roots and excites top growth. Arums are useful in sub-tropical gardening, and are otherwise interesting plants both for indoors and outside cultivation; and the hardy kinds are very suitable for naturalising in woodlands, &c. There are many other species besides those here described, but the following list comprises the best. Sub-sections of the genus will be found treated separately, such as =Amorphophallus= (which _see_), &c.

=A. bulbosum= (bulbous). Synonymous with _A. ternatum_.

=A. Dracontium= (Green Dragon). _fl._, spadix subulate, longer than the oblong convolute green spathe. June. _l._ pedate, entire. _h._ 2ft. North America, 1759. Hardy.

=A. Dracunculus= (Common Dragon).* _fl._, spadix lanceolate, shorter than the ovate, flat, smooth, brown spathe. July. _l._ pedate, entire. _h._ 3ft. South Europe, 1548. Hardy. SYN. _Dracunculus vulgaris_. See Fig. 154.

=A. indicum= (Indian). _See_ =Colocasia indica=.

=A. italicum= (Italian).* _fl._, spathe ventricose below, opening nearly flat and very broad above; apex often falling over very shortly after expansion, sometimes greenish yellow, at others nearly white; spadix yellowish or creamy white, club-shaped, about one-third as long as the spathe. Spring. _l._ appearing before winter, radical, triangular-hastate. _h._ 9in. to 2ft. Channel Islands and Cornwall, &c. Hardy.

=A. i. marmorata= (marbled).* _l._ marbled with yellow. A very pretty and effective hardy border plant.

=A. maculatum= (spotted). Lords and Ladies; Cuckoo Pint. _fl._, spathe ventricose below and above, constricted in the middle, with inflexed edges when open, spotted with dull purple; spadix usually purple, shorter than the spathe. Spring. _l._ vernal radical, hastate-sagittate, with deflexed lobes. _h._ 9in. Britain, &c. This species is admirably adapted for a corner in the wild garden. See Fig. 153.

=A. Malyi= (Maly's). _fl._ whitish. Montenegro, 1860.

=A. Nickelli= (Nickel's). Levant, 1859. A form of _A. italicum_.

=A. orientale= (eastern). _fl._ resembling those of _A. maculatum_. June. _l._ brownish, simple, ovate, slightly sagittate. _h._ 1ft. Tauria, 1820. Hardy.

=A. palæstinum= (Palestine).* _fl._, spathe 7in. to 11in. long, purplish blotched or spotted outside, rich velvety black inside and yellowish white at the base of the tube; spadix much shorter than the spathe; petiole usually rising 8in. or 9in. above the leaves. May. _l._ four or five, triangular-hastate, acute, from 6in. to 14in. long, and from 3-1/2in. to 7-1/2in. broad; petioles 12in. to 18in. long. Jerusalem, 1864. Tender.

=A. pictum= (painted). _h._ 2ft. Corsica, 1801. Hardy.

=A. proboscideum= (proboscis-like).* _fl._, spathe greenish purple, navicular, horizontal, terminated by a straight tail; scapes arising from among the petioles. May. _l._ radical, about four, cordate-elliptic, entire. _h._ 6in. South Europe, 1823. Hardy.

=A. spectabile= (showy). _fl._, spathe ovate-oblong, acuminate, dark purplish inside, longer than the purplish spadix. _l._ broadly hastate-sagittate. _h._ 1ft. Asia Minor. Half-hardy.

=A. spirale= (spiral). _fl._, spadix lanceolate, shorter than the oblong-lanceolate spirally twisted brown spathe. May. _l._ linear-lanceolate. Plant stemless. _h._ 1ft. China, 1816. Tender.

=A. tenuifolium= (narrow-leaved).* _fl._, spadix subulate, longer than the white lanceolate spathe. April. _l._ linear-lanceolate. Plant stemless. _h._ 1ft. South Europe, 1570. Hardy.

=A. ternatum= (three-leafleted). A synonym of _Pinellia tuberifera_.

=A. variolatum= (variegated). Dalmatia, 1859. Hardy.

=A. venosum= (veined). A synonym of _Sauromatum guttatum_.

=A. Zelebori= (Zelebor's). A form of _A. maculatum_.

=ARUM LILY.= _See_ =Richardia æthiopica=.

=ARUNDINARIA= (altered from _arundo_, a reed). ORD. _Gramineæ_. A small genus of hardy or nearly hardy shrubby grasses, having strong jointed stems, and frequently included under _Bambusa_. For sub-tropical gardening purposes more particularly it is exceedingly ornamental as an isolated tuft. It thrives best in a deep, rich soil, and requires plenty of water when in a growing state. Increased by division of the roots.

=A. falcata= (sickle-shaped).* _l._ linear-lanceolate, very acute, shortly stalked, very light green. Stems freely branched, deep green, and very slender. _h._ 3ft. to 6ft. India. An extremely handsome species for greenhouse decoration; also for outdoor work, particularly in the South of England, &c. SYN. _Bambusa gracilis_, of gardens.

=A. Maximowiczii= (Maximowicz's). This Japanese species is believed to be allied to, if not identical with, _Bambusa Simonii_. Quite hardy.

=A. Metake= (Metake). _l._ lanceolate, with very sharp points, dark green, persistent, narrowed into a short leafstalk, 6in. to 12in. long; sheath ample. _h._ 4ft. to 6ft. Japan. A handsome, hardy, dwarf, much-branched species, forming grand specimens, and producing flowers very freely. SYN. _Bambusa japonica_.