Propagated by seeds, sown as soon as ripe or in spring, in well-drained pots, filled with sandy soil, well watered previous to sowing. Cover lightly with coarse sand, place a pane of glass over the pot, and place the latter in a hand-glass. By offsets, which should be removed when top-dressed, as they are more likely to root. Arrange about four offsets around the sides of well-drained three-inch pots, filled with sandy soil, place under a bell-glass or in a close hand-light, water very sparingly so as to prevent them damping off. After becoming established, admit air, and pot off singly. =Australian Feather-palm.= See Ptychosperma. =Australian Mint-bush.= See Prostanthera. =Avens.= See Geum. =Averrhoa.= _Geraniaceæ._ Increased in spring by half-ripened cuttings, which will root in sand, under a hand-glass, with bottom heat. =Axillaria.= See Polygonatum. =Azalea.= _Ericaceæ._ Increased by seeds, sown as soon as ripe, or early the following spring, in a large shallow frame containing from two to three inches of peat, over which more peat must be spread by means of a fine sieve; do not cover, but water thoroughly. When the seedlings begin to appear they should have air, shade, and a daily sprinkling of water; transplant in autumn in boxes of peat and coarse sand, water, shade and keep close until growth commences. Grafting is largely practiced to increase the stock of named varieties or choice seedlings, the stock most employed being _A. pontica_ for hardy sorts, and some strong-growing variety of _A. Indica_, like "Phœnicia," for tender ones. Layering in spring, enclosing the part buried with moss, is also practiced; but the layer must be left two years before separating. Cuttings of the last year's wood two or three inches long, taken with a heel, root readily in sand; about the end of summer is the best time. When placed outside they should be covered with a hand-light for about two months, and at the end of that time air should be given freely. =Azara.= _Bixineæ._ Propagated by cuttings. =Babiana.= _Irideæ._ Propagated quickly by seeds sown in pans, placed in a gentle heat. These will grow at almost any time. The young plants will require to be carefully transplanted each season until they develop into blooming corms. By offsets grown in boxes or planted out in light rich soil until large enough for flowering. =Babingtonia.= _Myrtaceæ._ Increased by cuttings of the young sterile shoots, which may be planted in sand under a bell-glass, and kept in a moderate heat until rooted, when they should be placed singly in small pots, in a compost of equal parts loam and peat, with a little sand. =Baccharis= (Ploughman's Spikenard). _Compositæ._ Propagated by seeds and by cuttings. =Backhousia.= _Myrtaceæ._