Arnebia Cornuts

The Continental European novelty that seems to be attracting the most attention just now is the Arnebia cornuts, in course of distribution by Ernst Ben-ary, of Erfurt, Germany. It is the first annual species of this genus. The plants reach a height of two feet, are much branched, and furnished with linear, oblong leaves. The curious flowers expand daily in succession, and are produced in great profusion on the numerous branches. They are about the size of a quarter of a dollar; of a rich yellow, marked with five spots nearly black, the first day of opening, turning to maroon on the second and vanishing on the third day, leaving the flower a clear yellow. It is said to bloom with unusual freedom, and the flowers retain their freshness well when cut and placed in water. Although a novelty in cultivation, it was described many years ago by Ledebour. It is curiously distributed by nature, being found in Siberia, southeastern Russia, Algeria and Tunis.

Arthur Malet Begonia

The leaves of this variety are broadly and obliquely cordate, deep purple, and covered with little elevations, upon which is noted a short bristly hair, as in the sub-shrubby B. incarnata, of which it is a form. - The Gardening World.

Asclepias Lactifera (Asclepiadeae)

The cow-tree of Ceylon. Burman relates that when cow's milk is wanting, or for other reasons, the juice of this plant affords a substitute, and that the leaves are also cooked with foods that require animal milk.

Asparagus Soup

When asparagus is a little old to use as a vegetable it will make good soup. Boil it gently for three-quarters of an hour, cut off any tender tops there may be, and add to a quart of boiling milk. Rub together one tablespoonful of butter and two, even full, of corn starch or flour; add carefully to the boiling milk; add the tops and salt and pepper to taste.

Attention Of Vegetarians Is Especially Requested

Among peculiar products may be classed vegetable milk, and among interesting vegetables, the various cow-trees. It is much to be regretted that the attention of strict vegetarians has not been called to the possibility of excluding animal milk from their dietaries, for had their attention been seriously called to the cow-trees, we would have had more information to offer than this which we have been able to collect from our reading. We have noted eight species of plants which furnish an edible milky sap, belonging to eight genera and seven natural orders.

Australian Plants

Baron Sir Ferdinand von Miiller has issued a second systematic census of the plants of Australia, comprising their names, references to the books where they are described, date of publication, local and general distribution. - The Gardeners' Chronicle.

Authorization [To Import Foreign Vines]

It is well-known that in our country regulations are carried so far that one is not even allowed to do what is best without permission. Here is another example of it ; the district of Roch-sur-You has just been authorized, by a notice from the commissioner of agriculture, to import foreign vines, and vines coming from the districts in which the phylloxera exists. - Revue Horticole.