22S THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



cess of having water dashed over them, at that season, without 

 injury. 



Nearly all the Abutilons have handsome foliage, but only one, 

 A . Thompsoni, is entitled to a place in this paper. This is a very 

 pretty plant, with medium-sized leaves, beautifully mottled, and 

 blotched with rich golden yellow. Light, air, and a cool temperature 

 are all essential to the development of the rich colouring. It is 

 easily propagated by cuttings. 



Amongst the Acacias we have several species with very elegant 

 plumy leafage, the best of which are A. dealbata, A. lophantha (the 

 best of all), and A. vestita. These should be raised from seed, and 

 a single stem allowed to run up to a height of three or four feet, 

 and then be pinched to form a head. With a little care in regu- 

 lating the growth, these have a very elegant appearance. A. lophantha 

 makes a grand window plant, and is eminently adapted for the deco- 

 ration of front halls or staircases. 



The Agaves are more remarkable for the massiveness of their 

 foliage than for elegance of growth. They are, however, very beau- 

 tiful, and form an admirable contrast with the light, airy leafage of 

 other subjects. There are many fine species in addition to those I 

 shall name, but they are too expensive at present to be recom- 

 mended. A. Americana, and its beautiful variety, aurea variegata, 

 and A. schidigera are all good. A few pieces of broken bricks and 

 crocks, or pieces of sandstone, should be mixed with the compost 

 used for these plants. They require no water during the winter 

 months. 



The Aealias furnish us with a fine group of ornamental sub- 

 jects that do well in a greenhouse. All that I shall name are first- 

 rate. Suppose we take A. CooJci, A. gracilis, A. integrifolia, A. 

 palmata, A. papyrifera, A. Sieboldii, and A. Sieboldii variegata. A. 

 palmata is, perhaps, the most beautiful species in the genus. In a 

 well-grown specimen the bright green shining fan-shaped leaves 

 measure nearly two feet across, and are borne on stout leaf-stalks 

 over tw T o feet in length. It has only to be allowed to grow with a 

 single stem, and not crowded up with other things, and a handsome 

 symmetrical proportioned specimen can easily be had. 



The letter A also gives us the Aeaucaria. A. Coohi and A. 

 excelsa, form fine ornaments for large houses, either planted out or 

 grown in pots. Arundinaria falcata requires plenty of moisture to 

 grow it well, and Aspidistra lurida variegata, needs a rather poor 

 sandy soil to bring out its variegation. The elegant little Bambusa 

 Fortunei variegata must not be passed over, for it will well repay 

 the little trouble incurred in its culture. 



The genera Coedtline aud Dracena are nearly allied, and can 

 therefore be named in conuection with each other. There is only 

 one species belonging to the former available, and that is C. indivisa, 

 but in the latter we have D. australis, J), draco (the Dragon's 

 Blood tree), D. indivisa, D. lineata, and D. Veitchi, all elegant 

 upright-growing species, with gracefully-arranged foliage. The 

 utmost care should be exercised to preserve the lower leaves as long 

 as possible, but when the plants get bare and unsightly, they can be 



