187;5. ] HOW TO INCREASE FICUS ELASTICA. 27 



The shading of Roses grown for esliibition lias been recommended, and is 

 moi'e or less adopted by different exhibitors. With some few exceptions my 

 experience does not favour the practice. The living freshness of colour for which 

 the Eose is so justly prized is tarnished by shading, and the loss to my eye is 

 greater than the gain. 



When growing for exhibition, a special selection should be made of varieties 

 in Avhich the first point of merit is form, the next size, and the third substance. 

 A great number of sorts should also be grown, as Roses have their seasons. 

 Many a rose of excellent quality is good or bad for the year, according to whether 

 the spring is warm or cold, the summer cloudy or sunny. — William Paul, 

 Waltham Cross, Herts. 



HOW TO INCEEASE FICUS ELASTICA. 



fHE vast quantities of this noble leathery-leaved plant that are annually 

 employed in the various purposes of decoration gives importance to any 

 suggestion that may tend to facilitate its multiplication, and at the same 

 time increase its vigour and endurance. Not that this Ficus is by any 

 means difficult of cultivation ; on the contrary, it is of the easiest possible manage- 

 ment, provided that a genial temperature is afforded to it in the earlier stages 

 of growth, as it is important to promote a vigorous unchecked development. 



It may interest your readers to know that this desideratum is most surely 

 accomplished by grafting the Ficus elastica upon the roots of any of the numer- 

 ous cultivated varieties of Ficus Carica that may be at hand. 



Grafting may be performed at any time that grafts are procurable, during 

 the winter and spring months. So quickly and certainly is a union effected, that 

 the mode of grafting signifies but little, so long as the root and scion are fitted 

 to each other, and slightly bandaged. No mastic is required. Any portion of 

 the Ficus with a couple of buds will grow, but when a moderate supply only is 

 required, a sufficiency of scions with, terminal buds are easily procurable, by the 

 introduction of a few old stools into a brisk humid temperature. After grafting, 

 plant them singly in small pots, in a light soil, merely covering the stock, and 

 plunge in a brisk bottom-heat, excluding air for a few days by a covering of glass. 

 They will quickly become established, and afterwards will require attention in 

 potting so as to facilitate active growth. 



Plants intended for garden adornment should be grafted early in the year ; 

 and if properly attended to, will make fine strong plants by planting-out time. 

 From the hardy nature of the stocks, plants thus formed are better enabled to 

 withstand the chilling fluctuations of temperature in the soil, than if they were 

 grown upon their own roots, and at the same time they thrive more lustily. 



Exception may be taken to the propriety of grafting the F. elastica upon the 

 roots of the F. Carica., the former being a stove evergreen, and the latter a 

 deciduous species. They are certainly somewhat incongruous in their nature, 

 and seem unlikely to form the happiest of combinations ; however, in practice, I 



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