1879.] DRACAENAS FOR TABLE DECORATION. 545 



lanceolate, bright green, striped with white, the younger leaves often becom- 

 ing wholly white. It proves a capital room-plant, the dense leathery texture 

 of the leaves resisting the arid influence of rooms. It may be grown in an 

 intermediate-house temperature, which is an additional consideration in its 

 favour. 



D. regina. — A bolder form, of similar style to the last, but generally requir- 

 ing to be grown to too large a size for table-work before it acquires its fine 

 colour. Yet when well done in medium-sized plants it is very handsome. 



D. speciosa. — A very fine bold species, suitable, when well grown, for con- 

 trasting with the darker-leaved varieties on large tables or sideboards. The 

 habit is rather erect, the foliage broad and long-margined, and striped with 

 white, the youngest leaves becoming often pure white, the leaf - stalks and 

 margins of the leaves showing a clouding of rosy-purple. 



D. terminalis alba. — Having the habit and form of the leaves of the old 

 D. terminalis, with more substance, this is a decided acquisition among 

 white-coloured Dracaenas. It has the merit of colouring in a very young 

 state ; finely- coloured plants may be had from cuttings at 1 foot high. 



DARK-LEAVED SPECIES. 



D. bellula. — This is a miniature species, and adapted to purposes which 

 no other that I am acquainted with so well suits. Very nice well - coloured 

 plants may be grown to a foot or more high in 4-inch or even smaller pots. 

 The leaves are about 3 to 5 inches long, closely recurved on the stem, and 

 not more than an inch broad — deep bronze, striped with purplish crimson, and 

 occasional bars of bright olive-green. When done in small pots, it makes a 

 most suitable ornament for small vases. 



D. Cooperii. — No list of Dracaenas for table decoration would be complete 

 without this old and well-known sort. 



D. Emestii. — A very handsome sort, of light, elegant habit. The leaves are 

 lanceolate, tapering, and recurved — deep bronze -green, with broad crimson 

 margin. The young leaves are rosy pink and cream-coloured. 



D. Frederici. — This is one of the newest and best as regards colouring 

 and habit. The plant grows to moderate size slowly, but to colour quickly. 

 The leaves are long, stalked, and spreading. The ground colour is dark 

 shining bronze, edged with crimson, the leaf - stalks partaking of the same 

 brilliant colour. The younger leaves become broadly margined with purple, 

 shading off with age into the glowing crimson of the older leaves. It is 

 altogether one of the most effective Dracaenas for table decoration yet 

 introduced. 



D. Mrs Bause. — A very neat and highly coloured variety, of dwarf habit. 

 The leaves are elegantly recurved, from 9 inches to 1 foot long ; they are 

 deep bronze-green, margined and striped with deep rosy-crimson, the younger 

 leaves being bright rose with a dash of crimson, and occasionally streaked 

 with bright olive-green. 



D. Mrs C. J. Freake. — A very handsome variety, of free but moderate growth, 

 and colouring early. The leaves are slightly arching, long-stalked, about 2 

 inches broad, deep bronzed olive -green, broadly margined with brilliant 

 crimson. 



D. nigro-rubra. — A very excellent sort for table decoration. The sort is so 

 well known as to hardly need description. The form which is sold under the 

 name elegantissima is so slightly different, if at all, as to be undesirable in 

 the same collection. 



