i88i.] DRAC^NAS. 465 



example contains nothing costly or expensive — the plants can all be 

 raised from seeds ; it is in their rapid growth and development when 

 generously treated that they excel most other subjects in appearance 

 and effect. If they are planted 6 feet apart they will touch each other 

 in six weeks, provided they have not been starved before being planted 

 out. A few bright colours worked in amongst them for large beds 

 will give tone to a large garden, and save the annual propagation of 

 thousands of smaller plants, which are bright in their way, but beyond 

 a passing look are both tame and ineffective. I will now conclude as 

 I began, by asking all who are interested in flower-gardening to draw 

 their own inferences from the suggestions I have ventured to make, 

 and to draw them from actual comparison while there is yet material 

 in abundance to compare notes which will enable one and all to con- 

 ceive fresh arrangements for another year. W. Hinds. 



DRAC^NAS. 



There are seasons v/hen our collections of new and rare plants receive 

 more than ordinary additions. They at times come and take us by 

 surprise, like the discovery of a " gold-field," which, to use a colonial 

 term, causes a rush. The life of a plant-collector may not always be 

 one of pleasant ease or romantic experience : yet who does not envy 

 him the pleasure of seeing the first blush of beauty of some new rarity, 

 patiently waiting for its introduction to the floral world 1 We have at 

 present to deal with rarity in beauty of foliage, rather than in that of 

 flowers, as we note a few of the Dracasnas of recent introduction. In 

 the year 1877 we can count no less than ten new varieties, which were 

 introduced for competition against those of lesser fame. The list may 

 commence with D. Robinsoniana, a distinct variety from the South 

 Sea Islands, the leaves of which are elegantly arched. The ground- 

 colour is good, with margins of crimson-rose. D. triumphans is a fine 

 decorative plant, and forms a good contrast with the broader-leaved 

 varieties. The colour is a dark purple, but much relieved by the 

 glaucous hue of the under- surface. The incurving of the winged 

 edges of the petiole is a distinctive characteristic. D. ampliata. — The 

 foliage of this variety is distinctly marked with stripes, suffused with 

 creamy-white, rose, and crimson. D. nivalis, with its drooping leaves 

 elegantly margined with white, and its natural neat habit, is one 

 of the favourite varieties. D. cruenta is more bold in habit, with 

 a more robust growth, and is certainly most ornamental and effective. 

 D. roseo-perfecta. — The younger foliage of this variety seems to be the 

 most attractive, which in its early stage is creamy-white, suffused with 

 purplish-rose. In D. vestalis we have the long lanceolate leaf, with 

 its distinctive margin of white, relieved by the rich ground-colour of 

 the leaves, giving to it a charm which few of the genus possess. D. 



