Fenugrek

Trigonella.

Fernelia

Two species. Stove evergreen shrubs. Cuttings. Turfy loam and peat.

Ferraria

Eight species. Greenhouse and hardy bulbs. Offsets and seeds. Sandy loam and peat.

Ficaria

Three species. Hardy tubers, tubers, shaded. Common soil.

Ficus

Fig Tree. Seventy-seven species. Chiefly green-house and stove evergreen trees and shrubs. Cuttings. Light rich loam.

Fieldia

Fieldia australis. Green-house evergreen creeper. Cuttings. Loam and peat.

Fig Marigold

Mesembryanthe-mum.

Fir

See Pinus and Coniferae.

Fish

See Animal Matters.

Flacourtia

Eight species. Stove evergreen shrubs. Cuttings. Loam and peat.

Flake

Flake, is the term by which a carnation is distinguished that has two colours only, and these extending through the petals.

Flax-Star

Phormium Linum-stellatum.

Flower

See Bloom.

Flower Fence

Poinciana.

Flowering Ash

Ornus.

Flower Of Jove

Lychnis flos Jovis.

Flower Gatherer

Flower Gatherer (Fig. 45), is a pair of scissors and pincers combined ; they are of great advantage in gathering roses and other flowers which have thorny stems, as the flower cut by the scissors, is held fast by the part that acts as pincers. - Rural Reg.

Fig. 45.

Fly

See Black Fly.

Fly-Wort

Myanthus.

Fcetida

Fcetida mauritiana. Stove evergreen tree. Cuttings. Turfy loam and peat.

Fontanesla

Fontanesla phillyraeoides. Half-hardy deciduous shrub. Layers and cuttings. Common soil.

Forcing

Forcing is compelling culinary vegetables to be edible, flowers to bloom, and fruits to ripen, at unnatural seasons, being the very contrary of the object for which our green-houses and hot-houses are constructed; viz., to secure a temperature in which their tenants will be in perfection at their natural seasons. Under the heads of Hot-beds and of each particular plant will be found directions for forcing, and it will be sufficient here to coincide with Dr. Lindley in saying, that as forced flowers are always less beautiful and less fragrant; and forced vegetables and fruits less palatable and less nutritious than those perfected at their natural periods - it is desirable, at the very least, to devote as much effort and expense to obtain superior produce at accustomed times, as to the procuring it unseasonably. Rarity is good, but excellence is best.

Fore-Right Shoots

Fore-Right Shoots are the shoots which are emitted directly in front of branches trained against a wall, and consequently cannot be trained in without an acute bending, which is always in some degree injurious.

Formica

See Ant.

Fothergilla

Four species. Hardy deciduous shrubs. Layers and seed. Peat.

This genus derives its name from John Fothergill, an eminent physician, born in Yorkshire in 1712. In 1762 he purchased an estate at Upton, and there founded an excellent botanic garden.

Foxglove

Digitalis.