1919.] BEDDING PLANTS FOB TRINIDAD. 21 



CupJiea micropetala.— One of the best dwarf shrubs we possess 

 for the flower garden, with small red and yellow flowers which are 

 borne in great profusion. They are rather slow growing in the early 

 stages, taking about two months from seed sowing till they are ready 

 to plant out. When well established pinch out the top of each main 

 shoot to allow them to make bushy growth. They will be in full flower 

 at about five months from the time of planting out, and continue so for 

 .about three months when they should be cut back and the beds lightly 

 forked and manured : a second batch of flowers will then soon appear. 

 Cuphea micropetala has a great attraction for humming-birds, and as 

 many as half a dozen could be seen at times recently on plants 

 occupying two beds in the Botanic Gardens. 



Old plants can be divided when necessary for propagation purposes, 

 but it is best to raise young stock from seed- 



Dracaenas. — Good varieties of Draccenas are useful for planting in 

 semi-shady places. In full sunshine the leaves are apt to burn. 

 Propagated from pieces of stems cut into lengths of a few inches and 

 inserted as cuttings. 



Galphimia glauca. — Shower of Gold. — A pretty shrub growing to a 

 height of a few feet and commencing to flower when quite young. It is 

 at its best in beds when from 1^ to 2 feet in height, being then covered 

 with quantities of racemes of small yellow flowers. It is in flower for 

 practically the whole year. Propagated by seed. 



Hibiscus. — H. rosa-sinensis has produced such a wealth of varieties 

 at the hands of hybridists in Trinidad, and other parts of the world, 

 that we have now about 150 varieties of many shades of colour, 

 the majority of which have been raised in the colony, — largely 

 by the Venerable Archdeacon Hombersley. 



Hibiscus plants make a very effective sight either massed in large 



beds or scattered in beds also used for other plants. A few Hibiscus, 



:such as the double varieties, pink and red, can also be grown as 



standards that is with one straight stem several feet high, and a head 



of foliage and flowers on the top. 



Ixoras.— Some of the smaller growing kinds may be used for large 

 :beds, and if planted with a gi-ound work of balsams, tuberose, or 

 verbenas, they look very pretty. They can be propagated by seeds or 

 by cuttings. A certain amount of pruning will be required to keep them 

 in neat compact bushes when usad in bods, this applies more especially 

 to the yellow variety. This one does not come true from seed, and 

 should be increased by division, or by root suckers. 



Ixoras are useful as hedge plants in moist districts. 



Lagerstroemia indica. — Crepe Flower.— There are several varieties, 

 white, pink, red, &c. They grow to a good height and require occasional 

 hard pruning after flowering when used in beds. They also make a 

 good hedge in wet localities. Propagated by cuttings. 



Mirabilis Jalapa.—The Marvel of Peru, or Four o'clock, with its 

 various colours of yellow, pink, white, &c., can be iTsed for bedding 

 purposes if desired. 



