BASTARD HEMP-AGRIMONY; a genus of the polygamia æqualis order, belonging to the syngenesia class of plants. Of this genus there are three species: the conyzoides, the houtonianum, and the altissimum. All these are natives of warm climates. The first grows to a foot high; the stalks are round and firm; the leaves two inches long, broadest at the base, and serrated round the edges; the flowers are white, and stand on the extremities of the branches. They appear in July, and continue flowering till the frosts destroy them. The third sort is a native of Carolina, has a perennial root, and an annual stalk, which grows to the height of five or six feet, putting out side-branches at the top; the leaves are shaped like an heart. At the end of the shoots the flowers are produced in large tufts, are of a pure white, and appear in October.

Culture. The two first are annual plants, and consequently can be propagated only by seeds; which, however, come to perfection in this country. They must be sown in a hot-bed in the spring; and when the plants are come up, and strong enough to remove, they must be transplanted to another moderate hot-bed, offering water and shade them until they have taken root; after which time they must have a good share of air in warm weather, otherwise they will grow up very weak. In summer, the plants will thrive in the open air. The seeds ripen in September and October.—The third species will bear the severest cold in this climate, but its seeds do not ripen in this country. It puts out off-sorts, however, from its roots, by which it may be propagated, as well as by seeds, which are very frequently brought from America. The plants spread their roots very much, and cannot bear a cramped situation; for which reason, they must be allowed three feet every way. They delight in a rich moist soil and open situation, where they will produce so many stalks from each root as to form a considerable bush.

OF MAUDLIN. See Achillea.