AVENS. See Geum.
AVENUES. In forming an Avenue, the plan must neither be tortuous nor of a "tedious sameness," but a gradually winding line should, above all, be obtained, which must in no way interfere with the view from the house. About 12ft. is the width usually allowed for the road, but this depends upon individual taste or idea—this remark applies to planting in double rows, the trees forming a series of triangles, or in single rows. The distance across the road from one row of trees to those opposite should be at least 24ft. The Lime is extensively used for Avenues on account of its regular growth and the shade it affords. The Cedar of Lebanon is one of the best and most suitable evergreens. The Dutch Elm is used because of its rapid growth, and forms one of the best deciduous trees for this purpose. The well-known Horse Chestnut, in sheltered spots, is very ornamental, as is also the Spanish Chestnut; the latter spreads rapidly. Where immediate effect is required, nothing gives more satisfaction than the White Poplar; it grows in a wet soil better than anything else. Deodars, Araucarias, Douglas Pine, the Mexican, Chinese, and Japanese Cypresses, and many others, are eminently suited for Avenue planting. Shrubs and herbaceous plants should be introduced between the trees, and so remove any bareness that may occur. Diervilla rosea, and its variegated form, Aucubas, Rhododendrons, Hypericums, and many others, could be mentioned to serve this purpose. A moderately good soil will be found to answer generally.
AVERRHOA (in honour of Averrhoes, of Cordova, a celebrated Arabian physician, who resided in Spain during the domination of the Moors, about the middle of the twelfth century; he translated Aristotle into Arabic). ORD. Geraniaceæ. Ornamental stove trees, thriving in loam and peat. Half-ripened cuttings will strike in sand, under a hand glass, about April, with bottom heat. The leaves of the first-named species are irritable to the touch.
FIG. 196 AZALEA BALSAMINÆFLORA.
A. Bilimbi (Bilimbi-tree). fl. reddish purple, disposed in racemes, rising from the trunk. May. fr. oblong, somewhat resembling a small cucumber, with a thin, smooth, green rind, filled with a grateful acid juice, and the substance and seeds not unlike that of a cucumber. l. alternate, with from five to ten pairs of ovate-lanceolate, entire, smooth leaflets on short stalks. h. 8ft. to 15ft. Native country unknown, 1791. (B. F. S. 117.)
A. Carambola. Carambola-tree. fl. red, scattered, disposed in short racemes, usually rising from the smaller branches, but sometimes from the larger ones, and even the trunk. fr. the size of a hen's egg, acutely five-cornered, with a thin, yellow rind, and a clear watery pulp. l. alternate, with about four to five pairs of ovate, acuminated, entire, stalked leaflets, the outer ones largest. h. 14ft. to 20ft. 1793. This, as well as the first-named species, is cultivated throughout the hotter parts of India, but where it occurs truly wild is not known.
AVOCADO PEAR. See Persea gratissima.
AWL-SHAPED. Narrow-pointed, resembling an awl.
AWLWORT. See Subularia.
AXIL. Literally the armpit; in plants applied to the angle formed by union of the leaf and stem.