rUORISTS' PUBL.ISHING CO. 



ISHT, 1898, BY 



520-535 Caxton Building, CI1ICAGO. 



Vol. n. 



CHICAGO AND NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 15, 1898. 



No. 42. 



1^^^ 



Araucaria Excelsa. 



ARAUCARIA EXCELSA. 

 The Norfolk Island pine is becoming 

 so well known as a regular member of 



the average florist's stock that an ex- 

 tended description seems almost super- 

 fluous at this time, and though the va- 



garies of fashion may interfere with 

 its sale at times in some of our large 

 cities, yet there will continue to be a 

 demand for these most symmetrical 

 little evergreens, though possibly not 

 at the fancy prices once realized for 

 them. 



But as we expect to continue advanc- 

 ing in the science of horticulture, we 

 may perhaps hope to overcome some Of 

 our climatic disadv;intages that prove 

 an obstacle to the cheap, or rather 

 profitable, propagation of these plants 

 at the present time, and were this ac- 

 complished the market for araucarias 

 might be greatly extended. 



The small specimens of Araucaria ex- 

 celsa, with their frond-like branches 

 and graceful outline that are common 

 to the trade, doubtless give us but a 

 taint idea of the magnificence of the 

 mature trees in their native country, 

 where specimens ranging from 100 to 

 150 feet in height are not uncommon, 

 and the tree beiug usually found in sol- 

 itary examples rather than in masses 

 or forests as are some of the other 

 members of th.s genus, the same beauty 

 of proportion is shown, being only en- 

 hanced by greater size. 



Another peculiarity of Araucaria ex- 

 celsa appears in its confinement to Nor- 

 folk Island as a native habitat (at least 

 unless further discovery has been 

 made quite recently), thus giving this 

 diminutive island, which is situated 

 about 1,100 miles east of Australia, 

 greater distinction than was conferred 

 upon it by the British government in 

 placing upon it a penal colony. 



As to the cultivation of A. excelsa it 

 may be stated that one of the main 

 things to be avoided is giving too much 

 heat, this resulting in long-jointed and 

 soft growth, and also providing condi- 

 tions favorable for au outbreak of red 

 spider and thrips. 



A night temperature of 50 degrees 

 and a moist atmosphere will provide 

 for strong and healthy growth, and if 



