THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 213 



sJiowu by professionals, it may be fairly concluded that a few bints 

 ou tlie selection of the most suitable plants for the dinner table will 

 be of some service ; for if professionals are as yet not well acquainted 

 with the best plants for the purpose, it may be assumed that 

 amateurs are in need of iuformatiou. In this communication I shall 

 speak of ornamental-leaved plants only, as they are in the ordinary 

 way the most usefal. They produce the best effect, and may be 

 employed more frequently than those in bloom. In selecting the 

 plants, those of slender growth and graceful habit should have the 

 preference. The colour of the leafage is of secondary importance, 

 for if the foliage is light and elegnnt it will not be of much, 

 importance whether it is green or variegated with yellow or red ; the 

 yellow variegation is the least effective. Plants of naturally small 

 growth are, as a rule, the best, for they render repressive measures 

 unnecessary, and they have a more effective appearance than those 

 of larger growth kept to a small size by partly starving them. Those 

 of a wide-spreading habit are also not desirable, because of their 

 taking up too much space. 



Amongst the palms will bo found a large number of most 

 valuable subjects. One of these, Gocos Weddellimia, may be con- 

 sidered one of the finest dinner-table plants we have ; for it is of 

 medium size, the leaves are finely divided, and they spread out 

 regularly in the most graceful manner imaginable. Galamis ciliaris 

 is also very beautiful ; the leaves are not quite so finely divided, and 

 the leaflets are rather broader, but the plants have a most elegant 

 plumose appearance, and when from eighteen inches to two feet in 

 height are simply superb. Dcemonorops j;a7e»z6rtzu'cifs also has 

 pinnate leaves, but they are larger than those of the preceding. It 

 is, however, so elegant that in a small state it takes high rank amongst 

 table palms. Glaziova iusigni-s is somewhat similar to the first 

 mentioned, but it is rather larger, and for the centre of a rather 

 large table it is superb. Kentia australis is a handsome species, with 

 pinnate leaves, and is well suited for those who cannot aftord either 

 of the foregoing ; it also does well in a greenhouse. Areca lutescens 

 is cheaper still, and in every way first class. It is of medium growth; 

 the leaves are pinnate, gracefully arching, and the petioles and stem 

 are yellow, giving the plant a most interesting appearance. It has 

 the additional recommendation of cheapness, thrifty plants being 

 obtainable for five shillings each at any of the principal nurseries. 

 This palm does not form a tall stem like many other kinds, and it is 

 consequently well adapted for those who have plant structures of 

 rather small size. Areca rubra is similar to the preceding ; the young 

 leaves are of a deep bronzy red, changing to green ; it is very cheap. 

 Euterpe edulis is very beautiful in a small state, but it soon forms a 

 tall stem, and, consequently, quickly becomes worthless for the dinner 

 table. Geojioma pumila and Welfia regia also have pinnate leaves, 

 but the leaflets are broader, and although most ornamental in the 

 stove, are hardly required in conjunction with the foregoing. 

 Xatania aurea is a beautiful palm, with fan-shaped, deep green leaves, 

 borne on orange-coloured petioles ; it is rather expensive. Thrinax 

 elegantissima is, perhaps, the very best of those with fan-shaped 



July. 



