Part 49

=BASSIA= (named after Ferdinando Bassi, Curator of the Botanic Garden at Bologna). ORD. _Sapotaceæ_. Handsome lofty-growing lactescent stove trees, with axillary, solitary, or aggregate flowers, and quite entire, smooth, coriaceous leaves. They require stove heat, and a compost of peat and loam. Cuttings, taken from ripened wood, strike readily in sand, under a hand glass, in a strong moist heat.

=B. butyracea= (buttery). The Indian Butter Tree. _fl._, pedicels aggregate, and are, as well as the calyces, woolly. _l._ obovate, 8in. to 9in. long, and 4in. to 5in. broad, tomentose beneath. _h._ 30ft. to 70ft. Nepaul, 1823. (B. F. F. 35.)

=B. latifolia= (broad-leaved). The Mahwah Tree of Bengal. _fl._, corolla thick and fleshy; pedicels drooping, terminal. _l._ oblong or elliptic, smooth above, whitish beneath, 4in. to 8in. long, and 2in. to 4in. broad. _h._ 50ft. India, 1799. (B. F. S. 41.)

=B. longifolia= (long-leaved). _fl._, pedicels axillary, drooping, crowded round the ends of the branchlets. _l._ ovate-lanceolate, approximate at the tops of the branches, 6in. long, deciduous. _h._ 50ft. Malabar, 1811. (B. F. S. 42.)

=BASS= or =BAST MATS=. These are prepared, chiefly in Russia, from the inner bark of various Limes (_Tilia_), and are very largely used in this country by nurserymen for packing purposes. They are also extensively employed as coverings, being excellent preventatives of the effects of frost. They are beneficial as a covering for beds of early vegetables, to prevent radiation during the night. For tying purposes they are now greatly superseded by Raffia Grass. Archangel Mats are larger, and of better quality than the St. Petersburgh. Dunnage Mats are heavy, and generally used for covering, as they are much cheaper.

=BASTARD ACACIA.= _See_ =Robinia Pseudo-acacia=.

=BASTARD BALM.= _See_ =Melittis=.

=BASTARD BOX.= _See_ =Polygala chamæbuxus=.

=BASTARD CABBAGE-TREE.= _See_ =Geoffroya=.

=BASTARD CHERRY.= _See_ =Cerasus Pseudo-cerasus=.

=BASTARD CINNAMON.= _See_ =Cinnamomum Cassia=.

=BASTARD CORK TREE.= _See_ =Quercus pseudo-suber=.

=BASTARD INDIGO.= _See_ =Amorpha=.

=BASTARD LUPINE.= _See_ =Trifolium Lupinaster=.

=BASTARD QUINCE.= _See_ =Pyrus Chamæmespilus=.

=BASTARD VERVAIN.= _See_ =Stachytarpheta=.

=BASTARD VETCH.= _See_ =Phaca=.

=BASTARD WIND-FLOWER.= _See_ =Gentiana Pseudo-pneumonanthe=.

=BASTARD WOOD-SAGE.= _See_ =Teucrium Pseudo-scorodonia=.

=BAST MATS.= _See_ =Bass Mats=.

=BATATAS= (its aboriginal name). ORD. _Convolvulaceæ_. This genus is now referred to _Ipomæa_. Strong, free-growing, greenhouse or stove deciduous twiners. Calyx of five sepals; corolla campanulate; stamens inclosed. They are of easy culture, only requiring plenty of room to spread, and are well adapted for trellis work, or to run up pillars. They are all tuberous rooted, and therefore require to be kept dry when in a dormant state. A rich, open, loamy soil is most suitable. Young cuttings strike readily under a hand glass, in heat.

=B. bignonioides= (Bignonia-like).* _fl._, corolla dark purple, funnel-shaped, with a curled limb; peduncles many-flowered, nutant, shorter than the petioles. July. _l._ three-lobed; hind lobes rounded, imbricate. Cayenne, 1824. (B. M. 2645.)

=B. Cavanillesii= (Cavanilles').* _fl._ pale whitish-red; lobes of corolla obtuse, crenulated; peduncles one to three-flowered. August. _l._ quinate; leaflets ovate, entire, unequal. Native country unknown, 1815.

=B. edulis= (edible).* Sweet Potato. _fl._, corolla 1in. long, white outside and purple inside; peduncles equal in length to the petioles, or exceeding them, three to four-flowered. _l._ variable, usually angular, also lobed. Stem creeping, rarely climbing. East Indies, 1797. See Fig. 208.

=B. glaucifolia= (milky-green-leaved). _fl._, corolla small, purplish, with an inflated tube, and ovate, acute segments; peduncles two-flowered, length of leaves. May. _l._ sagittate, truncate behind, on long petioles. Mexico, 1732.

=B. heterophylla= (various-leaved). _fl._ blue; peduncles solitary, axillary, bearing each three sessile flowers. July. _l._ quinately palmate; lobes or leaflets ovate-spathulate, acute. Plant very villous. Cuba, 1817.

=B. paniculata= (panicled).* _fl._ large, purple; peduncles much exceeding the petioles, many-flowered, dichotomously and corymbosely panicled. June _l._ palmate, five to seven-cleft; lobes ovate-lanceolate or elliptic, bluntish, rarely sub-acuminated. India, 1799. (G. C. n. s., x., 341.)

=B. senegalensis= (Senegalese). _fl._ white or purplish, large; peduncles three-flowered. June. _l._ quinately palmate; lobes ovate, obtuse, middle one the largest. Stem white, tubercular. Guinea, 1823.

=B. venosa= (veiny). _fl._ purple; peduncles umbellate, with an ovate-cordate, solitary leaf at the base of each pedicel. July. _l._ digitately quinate; leaflets petiolate, acuminated, quite entire. France, 1820.

=BATEMANNIA= (named after Mr. J. Bateman, a collector and cultivator of orchids, and author of a "Monograph of Odontoglossum," and other works on orchidaceous plants). ORD. _Orchidaceæ_. A small and easily-grown genus of dwarf, compact-growing epiphytes, closely allied to _Maxillaria_, but differing from that genus in having the anther-bed with a membranous border. They may be grown in pots, in a compost of peat and moss, or on blocks of wood with moss. They require an intermediate house and plenty of water in the growing season. Propagated by divisions and offsets. They have generally a free-flowering habit; but some of the species are not so ornamental as many other orchids.

=B. armillata= (braceleted). _fl._ green, white. 1875. (R. X. O. 316.)

=B. Burtii= (Burt's). _fl._ red-brown, yellow base, 3in. across; lip white, tipped chocolate. Autumn. _l._ elliptic-oblong, or ligulate, sub-distichous. Plant bulbless. Costa Rica, 1872. (B. M. 6003.)

=B. Colleyi= (Colley's). _fl._ on a pendulous raceme, rising from the base of the pseudo-bulbs; sepals and petals brownish-purple within, green without; lip white. Autumn. _h._ 6in. Demerara, 1834. (B. R. 1714.)

=B. grandiflora= (large-flowered).* _fl._, flower-spike coming up with the young growth, bearing three or four flowers, of curious structure; sepals and petals olive-green, striped with reddish-brown; lip white, with reddish-purple streaks, orange or yellow towards the base. Pseudo-bulbs ovate, 3in. or 4in. long, and bearing two large, broad, leathery leaves. New Grenada, 1866. (B. M. 5567.)

=B. Wallisii= (Wallis').* _fl._, sepals light greenish-yellow outside, olive-green to chestnut-brown inside, with some yellow at the base; petals with scarlet stripes at the very base, but otherwise coloured like the sepals; lip blade greenish, with a brownish hue at the anterior part; peduncles slender, corymbose. _h._ 1ft. Columbia, 1876.

=BATSCHIA.= _See_ =Lithospermum=.

=BAUERA= (named after Francis and Ferdinand Bauer, German botanical draughtsmen). ORD. _Saxifragaceæ_. Small shrubs, natives of Australia, New Zealand, &c. Flowers axillary, solitary, pedunculate. Leaves six in a whorl, approximating by threes, and therefore, as it were, opposite and ternate, exstipulate. Easily cultivated in a compost of sandy loam and peat. Propagated by cuttings, placed in sandy soil, under a glass. These very pretty little greenhouse evergreens flower nearly the whole year through.

=B. humilis= (low). _fl._, corolla red, one-half smaller than _B. rubioides_, and the plant is altogether much smaller. July to December. _l._ oblong, crenated. _h._ 1ft. New South Wales, 1804. (L. B. C. 1197.)

=B. rubiæfolia= (madder-leaved). Synonymous with _B. rubioides_.

=B. rubioides= (madder-like).* _fl._ pale red, or pink. _l._ lanceolate, crenated. _h._ 1ft. to 2ft. New South Wales, 1793. SYN. _B. rubiæfolia_. (A. B. R. 198.)

=BAUHINIA= (in honour of John and Caspar Bauhin, two famous botanists of the sixteenth century). Mountain Ebony. ORD. _Leguminosæ_. Very showy stove evergreen shrubs. Flowers racemose; petals five, spreading, oblong, rather unequal, upper one usually distant from the rest. Leaves two-lobed, constantly composed of two jointed leaflets at the top of the petiole, sometimes nearly free, but usually joined together, more or less, and with an awn in the recess. They succeed well in a mixture of sand, loam, and peat, requiring good drainage and moderately firm potting. Propagated by cuttings, which should be taken when the wood is neither very ripe nor very young; the leaves must be dressed off, and the cuttings planted in sand, under a glass, in moist heat. Although glorious objects in the tropics, few of the species flower under our comparatively sunless skies; those which hitherto have succeeded well in Britain are marked with an asterisk.

=B. acuminata= (taper-pointed-leaved). _fl._ pure white; petals broadly ovate, hardly stipitate. June. _l._ rather cordate at the base, smoothish; leaflets connected beyond the middle, ovate, acuminated, parallel, four-nerved. _h._ 5ft. to 6ft. Malabar, 1808.

=B. aurita= (eared). _fl._ white; petals ovate, on short stipes. August. _l._ glabrous, cordate at the base; leaflets connected the fourth part of their length, oblong-lanceolate, nearly parallel, six to eight-nerved. _h._ 4ft. to 6ft. Jamaica, 1756.

=B. corymbosa= (corymbose).* _fl._ in loose racemes; petals pinkish, regular, crenulated at the edge. Summer. _l._, leaflets semi-oval, obtuse, parallel, connected nearly to the middle, three-nerved, cordate at the base, the nerves on the under surface, as well as the petioles, branches, and calyces, clothed with rufous villi. Shrubby climber. India, 1818. (G. C. 1881, xvi., p. 204.)

=B. inermis= (unarmed). _fl._ white; petals linear; racemes terminal, leafless, simple. _l._ ovate at the base, ferruginous beneath; leaflets oblong, acute, four-nerved, parallel, connected a little beyond the middle. _h._ 6ft. to 8ft. Mexico, 1810.

=B. multinerva= (many-nerved). _fl._ snow-white; petals linear. Legume 8in. to 12in. long. _l._ elliptic, rounded at the base, membranous, shining above, rather pilose beneath; nerves ferruginous; leaflets semi-ovate, obtuse, approximate, five-nerved; free. _h._ 20ft. Caracas, 1817.

=B. natalensis= (Natal).* _fl._ white, 1-1/2in. across, opposite the leaves. September. _l._ small, alternate, of two obliquely-oblong rounded leaflets. Natal, 1870. (B. M. 6086.)

=B. petiolata= (long-petioled). _fl._ white, 3in. long, in terminal clusters. Autumn. _l._ stalked, ovate-acuminate, five-nerved, glabrous. Columbia, 1852. SYN. _Casparia speciosa_. (B. M. 6277.)

=B. pubescens= (downy). _fl._ white, large, much crowded; petals obovate; peduncles three to four-flowered. _l._ rather cordate at the base, pubescent beneath and on the petioles; leaflets connected beyond the middle, oval, obtuse, four-nerved, nearly parallel. _h._ 4ft. to 6ft. Jamaica, 1823.

=B. purpurea= (purple). _fl._, petals red, one of them streaked with white on the claw, lanceolate, acute. Legume linear, 1ft. long. _l._ cordate at the base, coriaceous, ultimately glabrous; leaflets connected much above the middle, broadly ovate, obtuse, four-nerved; free. _h._ 6ft. India, 1778.

=B. racemosa= (racemose). _fl._ white; petals obovate, obtuse; raceme somewhat corymbose. _l._ cordate at the base, clothed with silky villi beneath, as well as on the peduncles, petioles, branches, calyces, and petals; leaflets broadly ovate, obtuse, connected to the middle, five-nerved. India, 1790. Shrubby climber. (B. F. S. 182.)

=B. tomentosa= (tomentose). _fl._, petals pale yellow, with a red spot at the claw, obovate, obtuse; peduncles one to three-flowered. _l._ ovate or roundish at the base; under surface villous, as well as the petioles, branches, stipules, peduncles, bracts, and calyces; leaflets connected beyond the middle, oval, obtuse, three to four-nerved. _h._ 6ft. to 12ft. Ceylon, 1808.

=B. variegata= (variegated).* _fl._ red, marked with white, and yellow at the base, in loose terminal racemes; petals ovate, nearly sessile. June. _l._ cordate at the base, glabrous; leaflets broadly-ovate, obtuse, five-nerved, connected beyond the middle; free. _h._ 20ft. Malabar, 1690.

=B. v. chinensis= (Chinese). _fl._, petals lilac, with one purple spot at the base of each, acute. _l._ rounded at the base. China.

=BAWD-MONEY.= _See_ =Meum=.

=BAY-TREE.= _See_ =Laurus nobilis=.

=BEAK.= Anything resembling the beak of a bird, as in _Aconitum_; the point which ends the helmet or upper sepal; hard, sharp points.

=BEAM TREE.= _See_ =Pyrus Aria=.

=BEAN BEETLE= (_Bruchus granarius_). This insect, by depositing its eggs in the seeds of Beans and Peas, causes a great amount of injury. It is about an eighth of an inch long, black, with brown hairs and white spots; tip of the tail prolonged, downy; front pair of legs reddish. The most effectual means of prevention is to destroy, when sowing, all seeds infested by it; and this may be detected by the skin of the seed being unusually transparent above the tunnel for exit. Imported seeds of Broad Beans are often much infested. "Dipping the Beans or Peas in boiling water for one minute is stated to kill the grub inside; but, as dipping for four minutes generally destroys the germinating power, the experiment is much too hazardous for general use", (Ormerod).

=BEAN CAPER.= _See_ =Zygophyllum=.

=BEAN FLY.= _See_ =Aphides= and =Black Fly=.

=BEANS.= There are three sections of these in cultivation for garden purposes, viz.: The Dwarf or French Bean; the Climbing, or Scarlet Runner; and the ordinary Broad Bean. _See also_ =Faba= and =Phaseolus=.

_Soil._ All Beans like a somewhat loamy soil, which, to secure good crops, must be deeply worked and heavily manured. The Kidney Beans, dwarf and tall, however, do not care for so heavy a soil as the Broad and Long-podded kinds; and this fact should be borne in mind when selecting their respective situations. The term Kidney is generally applied to both the Dwarf or French and the Climbing or Scarlet Runner.

BROAD AND LONG-PODDED (_Faba vulgaris_). _Cultivation_: As early as possible in the autumn, deeply trench a piece of ground, and work in a heavy dressing of manure, leaving the surface of the soil in ridges, to become well aërated by winter frosts. Where desired, a piece of ground on a warm, protected border, can also be deeply dug in November, and a few rows of Mazagans sown to stand the winter. When up, draw a ridge of soil on either side the rows, and in frosty weather strew a few handfuls of bracken, or other light, dry litter, over them. Not much is, however, gained by this winter sowing. Early in January, level the ridges with a fork, working the whole of the surface soil over, and towards the end of the month, make the first sowing, choosing Mazagan and other early varieties. Mark out two rows, 9in. asunder, leave a space of 30in., then another two rows, and so on throughout the piece sown. If preferred, they may be sown in single rows at intervals of 1-1/2ft. The drills should be about 3in. deep, and the seed from 7in. to 9in. apart in the rows. Where the double-row system is adopted, arrange the seed for the plants to come alternately. In March, get in the main sowing of the Broad and later Long-podded kinds, in the manner already described; another sowing for late use may be made in April. When the plants are about 6in. high, earth up as recommended for those sown in the autumn. As soon as a good crop is set, pinch out the tops of the plants, to assist the maturation of the Beans, and prevent the attacks of the fly. Figs. 209, 210, and 211 are excellent representations of the flowering plant, pods, and seed of the Broad Bean.

_Sorts._ For early use: Early Mazagan, Long-pod, Marshall's Early Prolific, and Seville Long-pod. For late use: Carter's Mammoth Long-pod, and Broad Windsor (white variety). These are all distinct and good varieties.

DWARF OR FRENCH KIDNEY BEANS (_Phaseolus vulgaris_). _Cultivation_: This class (see Fig. 212) also requires a rich and deeply trenched rather light soil. A very important point is to get the ground into a good condition, by frequently forking it over; and, as the seeds are not sown till the beginning of May, there is plenty of time for the work. The finer the soil is, and the more it is aërated, the better will it suit the crop. From the beginning of May till the end of June, at intervals, draw out drills about 2ft. apart, and 3in. deep, and in these place the Beans tolerably thick, as generally they are not all certain to grow. As soon as up, carefully thin them, and slightly earth up to prevent the wind blowing them about. They should not, however, be earthed higher than the seed leaves, or they will probably rot off in wet weather. Keep free from weeds, and maintain a sharp look out for slugs. In dry weather, water occasionally, giving good drenchings, and not mere sprinklings, which do more harm than good. A good mulching of half-rotted manure is very beneficial, as it prevents evaporation to a great extent, besides affording some amount of nourishment to the plants. Great care must be taken to pick off the Beans as soon as large enough for use, or they will exhaust the plants. Where seeds are needed, a number of plants should be left for the purpose, and these should be some of the best, to prevent deterioration, or loss of the true variety.

_Forcing._ French Beans require more heat than can be obtained in either a frame or an ordinary greenhouse; and, although easy enough to grow in a structure suited to their requirements, yet, if such does not exist, they are almost sure to fail. A good heat, from 60deg. to 70deg., with abundance of moisture, is necessary for successful results. Plenty of light is also most essential. A position such as that of a cucumber house is generally a suitable one; but the plants must not be placed under the cucumbers. Successional sowings in pots or boxes must be made, from the end of August till March, to keep up a supply. For soil, use good maiden loam, with a little well-rotted manure added. Use 8in. pots, sowing five or six beans in each. The first sowing should be placed in a frame and kept well watered, bringing into heat in October; but the subsequent sowings should be placed directly in the house. Keep the soil moist, and the plants free from aphides and other insect pests, and give air at every favourable opportunity. The plants should be as near the light as possible, and kept from falling about by tying or placing small pieces of Birch wood round them. In dull weather, it will be found that the blooms will not set so freely as when the sun shines brightly; therefore, every care should be taken to secure both heat and ventilation when sunshine prevails. When the pots get full of roots, and the plants are bearing fruit freely, a little liquid manure is of great assistance; at no time must the plants get dry enough to flag. Allow plenty of room for the full development of foliage, and maintain a minimum temperature of 60deg., with plenty of moisture.

_Sorts._ These are very numerous, among the best being Black Negro, Canadian Wonder, Canterbury, Fulmer's Forcing, Golden Dun, Newington Wonder, Osborn's Early Forcing, Sion House, and Sir Joseph Paxton.

RUNNERS OR CLIMBING KIDNEY BEANS (_Phaseolus multiflorus_). _Cultivation_: Being tall growers, these need a greater space than the Dwarf French varieties, and they also require support. Rich soil is indispensable for them, and liberal supplies of water on light soils and in dry weather. A good overhead syringing from time to time is also advantageous. Trench and heavily manure a piece of ground in autumn, leaving it in ridges for the winter. In March, level the ridges down, and well work the ground, to render it friable and in good condition. The plants being extremely tender, it is not safe to sow before the end of April or the first week in May. It is preferable to sow in rows, which should be from 6ft. to 12ft. apart, and crop the ground between with other vegetables. Earth up and stake them as soon as ready, to prevent injury from rough wind. A good plan, which may be adopted to obtain early produce, is to raise the seeds in boxes in a cold frame, getting them ready for planting out in the middle of May. Plant at the same distances, and treat afterwards as recommended for those sown out of doors.

If preferred, they can be grown on the ground without stakes. Under this treatment, they must have their tops pinched off when about 18in. high, continuing this pinching from time to time as necessary. If this plan is adopted, the rows need only be 3ft. apart, the ground not being otherwise cropped. In dry seasons and on light soils, there is an advantage attached to this method, namely, that those on sticks are liable to injury from drought, while the foliage of those pinched back keeps the soil moist underneath.

Runner Beans may also be planted to cover arches or fences, and in various places of a like description. See Fig. 213.

_Sorts._ Common Scarlet Runner, Champion, Painted Lady, and Giant White. The first two are those generally grown.

=BEAN-TREE.= _See_ =Ceratonia Siliqua=.

=BEARBERRY=, and =BEAR'S GRAPE=. _See_ =Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi=.

=BEARD-TONGUE.= _See_ =Pentstemon=.

=BEARS BREECH.= _See_ =Acanthus=.

=BEAR'S FOOT.= _See_ =Helleborus fœtidus=.

=BEATONIA.= _See_ =Tigridia=.

=BEAUCARNEA= (a commemorative name). ORD. _Liliaceæ_. A small genus of curious greenhouse plants, natives of Mexico. Leaves narrow, gracefully depending. Stems slender, and woody, with a peculiar swollen, somewhat napiform base. Mr. B. S. Williams recommends that these plants be potted in rich fibrous loam and sand, with ample drainage, and, during the growing season, liberally supplied with water. Propagated by cuttings, when obtainable; but chiefly by seeds, which have to be imported from their native country. Beaucarneas are principally grown for the beauty of their foliage, and are grotesque, graceful, and extremely curious in habit and form.

=B. glauca= (grey).* _l._ pendent, glaucous, 2ft. to 3ft. long. Stem slender, the swollen base becoming woody with age.

=B. g. latifolia= (broad-leaved) differs from the type only in its stouter and more robust stem and broader leaves.

=B. longifolia= (long-leaved).* _l._ 6ft. to 10ft. long, narrow, pendent, dark green, forming a beautiful vase-like centre. _h._ 10ft. Mexico, 1868. Very distinct. (G. C. 1877, vii., 493.)

=B. recurvata= (recurved-leaved).* _l._ very long, linear, gracefully pendulous, bright green. Mexico, about 1845. This is an excellent subject for open-air culture during the summer, as well as for the conservatory. SYN. _Pincenictitia tuberculata_. (G. C. 1870, 1445.)

=B. r. rubra= (red). _l._ red at base.

=B. stricta= (upright). _l._ 3ft. or more long, less than 1in. broad, very glaucous. Stem stout. Mexico, 1870.