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Aroideae (Araceae A curious half-hardy)

(Araceae). A curious, half-hardy, tuberous perennial, thriving in any light soil, with protection in winter. Increased by seeds, and by divisions. The former should be sown, as soon as ripe, in a cool house; and the latter should be made just previous to new growth in spring. A. Bassii (Bass's).* fl., spathes prolonged into a long tail, and a tongue-shaped spadix, with the male flowers on one side, and so placed as to preclude the access of pollen to the stigma on the other side of the spathe, save by insect agency. l. oblong, stalked h. 4in. Corsica, Sardinia, 1879. AMBURY, or ANBURY. The name given to galls of small Weevils (Ceuthorhynchus sulcicollis) which appear on the roots of Cabbages and Turnips, as well as of the Wild Mustard, and of other weeds belonging to the genus Brassica. The galls form swellings individually about the size of split peas, but often two or more are joined to form considerable masses. In each is a space inclosing a white grub. Anbury is usually not very hurtful. It is quite distinct from Clubbing. The galled roots should be collected, before the grubs emerge, and burned.

AMELANCHIER (Savoy name of the Medlar, to which this genus is closely allied). TRIBE Pomaceae of ORD. Rosaceae. Hardy, deciduous shrubs or small trees, with racemes of white flowers, and simple, serrated leaves; bracteas linear-lanceolate. Pome, when mature, three to five-celled. They are of easy cultivation, in a somewhat rich, loamy soil, and are propagated by layers or cutting, in autumn, in sheltered situations; by seeds, and by grafting, in early spring, on the Hawthorn or the Quince, or the weaker on the stronger-growing species.

A. canadensis (Canadian).* Grape Pear. fl. white. April. Pome purple. l. oblong-elliptic, cuspidate, when young rather villous, but at length glabrous. h. 6ft. to 8ft. Canada, 1746. A very ornamental tree, having a profusion of flowers in early spring, and rich autumnal foliage. SYN. Pyrus Botryapium. A. c. florida (flowery).* fl. white, numerous, in upright racemes. May. Pome purple. l. oblong, obtuse at both ends, coarsely serrate in the terminal portion, glabrous in every state. h. 10ft. to 20ft. North America, 1826. A. c. ovalis (oval-leaved). fl. white; racemes pressed together. April. l. roundish-elliptic, acute when rather young, velvety beneath, glabrous when mature. h. 6ft. to 8ft. North America, 1800.

A. c. parvifolia (small-leaved). This has a dwarfer habit, and shorter leaves, than the type.

A. sanguinea (bloody). fl. white; racemes capitate. April. Pome blackish-purple. l. oblong, rounded at both ends, sharply serrated, always naked. h. 4ft. to 8ft. North America, 1800. This form differs principally from A. canadensis in the fewer flowers, much shorter raceme, and shorter, broader, and more ovate petals.

A. vulgaris (common).* fl. white. April. Pome darkish-purple. l. roundish-oval, bluntish, pubescent beneath, at length glabrous. h. 3ft. to 9ft. Europe, 1596. A desirable shrub, producing an abundance of flowers. SYN. Mespilus Amelanchier.

AMELLUS (a name employed by Virgil for a blue, Aster-looking plant growing on the banks of the river Mella). ORD. Compositae. Pretty, branched, ascending or diffuse, perennial herbs. Flowers in solitary heads. Leaves hairy, lower ones opposite, upper alternate. Of very easy culture, in ordinary garden soil. Increased by divisions, or cuttings, inserted under glass, in spring. A. Lychnitis (Lychnitis). fl.-heads violet, solitary, terminal, and lateral. June. l. linear, lanceolate, entire, hoary. h. 6in. Cape of Good Hope. Evergreen, greenhouse trailer.

AMERICAN BLIGHT, or WOOLLY APHIS (Schizoneura lanuginosa). The white, cottony-looking matter which is found upon the bark of the Apple and other trees of a similar nature, belongs to a species of Aphis, which has short legs: the females are wingless, while the males are winged; the latter appear in July and August. The insects belong to a group of Aphides un-provided with honey tubes on the hinder part of the body, and in which the third vein of the front wing shows only one fork. The woolly coating also distinguishes them from true Aphides. The Blight is said to have been imported from America in 1787, but this is uncertain.

As these insects get into the cracks and under the bark of trees, they are hard to dislodge. The injury inflicted is not apparent for some time; but, in process of time, large, cankerous wounds are produced, which gradually (with the aid of the insects) destroy the branches, and render the tree useless. If young trees are attacked, they are rendered valueless in a very short time. The insects hide in crevices of the bark of the trees each autumn, and remain dormant during the winter, ascending to their old quarters as the weather becomes warm. Trees which are covered with moss and lichens probably serve as places for hybernation; hence, it is desirable to remove such hiding-places, as well as all pieces of dead bark. To their being left may be frequently attributed the severe attacks of Blight experienced where they exist on trees. So soon as the cottony substance makes its appearance, one of the following remedies should be applied, and, if persisted in for a few seasons, the trees will be quite cleared.

Brushing and Scraping. In winter, the trees should be thoroughly cleaned; and, so long as there is a chance of the insects being in the bark, all loose pieces, moss, &c., should be brushed off, and the parts affected should be thoroughly saturated with a strong solution of soft soap or of soft soap and lime-water, applied with a stiff brush, so as to enter all the crevices. Gas Liquor. This is the ammoniacal liquor from gas works. It must be diluted with from eight to twelve times its bulk of water, or it is dangerous to the trees; in fact, after dilution, it is advisable to test it, previous to using to any great extent. As the woolly covering of the insects resists water, it is desirable that the liquor be applied with a brush, and forced amongst the Blight.

Infusion of Tobacco Leaves (1/2lb. to 1 gallon) kills the insects on shoots dipped into it.

Paraffin or Petroleum. This is a simple and useful remedy. Obtain a painter's half-worn sash-tool, free from paint, and just moisten it in the oil. Then brush out each infested place as often as the Blight appears, and in one season the trees will be cleared.

Spent Tan. Collect spent tan into a heap a month or two before it is to be used, and if it has heated well and rotted, so much the better. In winter, clear away all leaves, rubbish, grass, &c., and spread the tan at the rate of about thirty loads to the acre, taking care that it surrounds the base of each tree infested with Blight. Practical proof of its utility has been given. Turpentine and other Spirits. The mode of applying these is the same as for paraffin, but they frequently injure the bark, and sometimes kill young trees. To kill insects on the roots, it is well to clear away the soil as far as possible from them, and to saturate the place with soapsuds or ammonical solutions; soot, quicklime, or other applications to the soil would also prove useful.

Other remedies that have been suggested are the drainings of stables, and grafting-clay plastered over the bark.