THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 213 



as possible. In giving the above directions, it is supposed that fruit 

 is produced at each shoot; but as the strongest do nob always carry- 

 fruit, due regard must be paid in the removal of the young growth 

 to secure a regular crop all over the house ; but one shoot only must 

 be left to each spur, and not more than one bunch of fruit to each. 

 The training and pruning of outdoor vines must be deferred until 

 their planting and general management is dealt with. 



OUR ORNAMENTAL-LEAVED PLANTS EOR TABLE 

 DECORATION. 



BV J. W. SILVER, 

 Head Gardener, The Laurels, Taunton, Somerset-. 



jjLANTS adapted for the embellishment of the dinner 

 table have received such a large share of attention 

 within the last few years, that I am induced to make 

 a few remarks on some of the most useful, with the hope 

 that they will be acceptable to readers of the Eloral 

 World. A list of the most desirable kinds will also be given as we 

 proceed, which on this occasion must be confined to plants re- 

 markable for their beautiful foliage, for it would take up too much 

 space to deal with both fine foliage and flowering plants in one 

 number. 



The principal conditions to be borne in mind in the cultivation 

 of plants for the dinner table, are to have them as dwarf and 

 compact as possible, to keep the foliage of the brightest hue 

 possible, and also to grow them in as small pots as circumstances 

 will admit. The size of the pots should range from three to six, or, 

 at the outside, eight inches in diameter ; but plants in five-inch 

 pots will be of the greatest value, as they can be employed where 

 the larger pots would be useless. 



One of the most useful and easily cultivated classes of fine foliage 

 plants are the best of the new Coleua, for when well grown they are 

 so remarkably effective that for table decoration their value cannot 

 well be exaggerated. They should in fact be grown extensively, 

 because so little labour and skill is necessary to produce handsome 

 specimens. The method pursued here with very successful results is to 

 insert seven or eight cuttings in afive-inch pot,and place them inalittle 

 extra warmth, and shelter until well rooted. They are then placed on 

 a shelf in the full sun, wherethey grow rapidly, and in a few weeks, with 

 ordinary attention, become handsome specimens, with foliage of the 

 richest colour. This mode of culture is preferable to any I hav3 yet 

 tried, for a few weeks only are required for the production of well- 

 developed specimens. Attention must be given to watering, because 

 if the soil is allowed to become very dry, they invariably lose thejr 

 bottom leaves and become unsightly ; plants from six to ten inches 

 in height are the most effective. The tops of plants which have 

 grown too tall may be taken off" and inserted in cutting pots, as 



