when they will shoot vigorously. If the effect of a full-grown specimen be desired, the shrubbery is the place for it. = A. japonica (Hort.).
*Aralia edulis.—This is a vigorous herbaceous perennial, well suited for those positions in which we desire a luxuriant type of vegetation. It is perfectly hardy, is of a fresh and vigorous habit, and grows 6, 7, and even 8 ft. high in good soil, even so early as the end of June. The leaves attain a length of nearly a yard when the plant is strong, while the shoots droop a little with their weight, and thus it acquires a slightly weeping character. It is rare in this country now, but, being easily propagated, may, it is to be hoped, not long prove so. As it dies down rather early in autumn, it must not be put in important groups, but rather in a position where its disappearance may not be noticed. An isolated position, or one near the margin of an irregular shrubbery, fernery, or rough rockwork by the side of a wood walk, will best suit it. Japan. Division.
*Aralia japonica.—A valuable species, quite distinct from any of the others, with undivided, fleshy, dark-green leaves. It is usually treated as a green-house plant, but is hardy and makes a very ornamental and distinct-looking shrub on soils with a dry porous bottom. It grows remarkably well in the dwelling-house; in fact it is one of the very few plants of like character that will develop their leaves therein in winter. Not difficult to obtain, it may be used with advantage in the flower-garden or pleasure-ground among medium-sized plants—say those not more than a yard high. It would form striking isolated specimens on the turf, and is also very suitable for grouping. A native of Japan. = A. Sieboldi.
*Aralia nudicaulis.—A very vigorous perennial, with a smooth stem scarcely rising out of the ground, bearing large leaves with long-stalked, oval-oblong, pointed, toothed leaflets, and a shorter naked flower-stem, with from two to seven umbels of blossoms. Roots several feet long and highly aromatic. Similar uses to those directed for A. edulis. North America.