280 THE GARDENER. [June 



A TEW WORDS ON GROWING BROCCOLI WITH THE 

 OBJECT OF CAUSING IT TO STAND THE WINTER. 



The general Tvay is to plant it about 2 feet apart each way, and 

 then to lift and lay it in autumn. I find it stands far better Avhen 

 planted 4 feet between the rows, and 3 feet between the plants in 

 the rows ; in this way the plants get more air and light, and con- 

 sequently do not become drav/n and tender, and, of course, they 

 are in a condition better fitted to stand severe frost. Crops of Let- 

 tuce, Spinach, &c., can be grown between the rows, so that the 

 ground is not wasted. Alexander Gibson. 



Edmonston Gardens, Liberton. 



NOTES ON HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 



Con'.inued from iiarje. 134. 

 Aroidese. — This natural order is one of singular interest. The majority of the 

 species are herbaceous, but some form considerable stems, both thick and long, 

 of perennial duration, yet of herbaceous texture ; and in the moist, shady forests 

 of the tropics certain species of the genus Philodendron and other allied genera 

 climb a great height on the trees by means of their long aerial roots. The flowers 

 of the Aroids are destitute of beauty from a floricultural point of view. They 

 are rarely, in fact, visible, being usually included and concealed within the bract, 

 or spathe, as it is technically called, which in one form or another accompanies 

 and is characteristic of the inflorescence of the order. But even when visible, 

 the individual flowers are far from being imposing; stamens and pistils are the 

 only organs produced, and they are crowded together promiscuously or separately 

 on the sides of the ckib-like or spike-like body which occupies the centre of the 

 spathe, and is called the spadix. The spathe, however, is in some cases a very 

 beautiful and conspicuous object in the inflorescence of Aroideai — so beautiful, 

 indeed, as quite to compensate for the deficiency of the flowers in that respect. 

 Calla (Richardia) scthiopica may be pointed to as a well-known and charming 

 example of the ornamental character of the spathe in some Aroids. In this case 

 it rivals driven snow in its pure white colour, while its elegant form and the 

 beautiful yellow spadix present a combination of charms scarcely surpassed in 

 subjects having a higher development of strictly floral organs. The members of 

 the group are more remarkable, however, for the beauty or singularity of their 

 leaves than for any beauty they are possessed of in regard to inflorescence. The 

 picturesque Caladiums, the lattice-leaved Philodendrons, and the hard, rigid 

 leaves of certain species of Anthurium, suggesting, as they do, the idea that they 

 are cast in bronze, or have at some period of their existence undergone a process 

 of petrifaction and yet retained life, excite mingled feelings of wonder and admira- 

 tion in the mind. The group, in the main, has a strange old-world or pre- Adamite 

 aspect about it, which is fascinating in an intense degree. Certain species vaguely 

 associate themselves in the mind with the terrestrial and atmospheric conditions 

 of some bygone epoch, when earth-heat was greater than it now is, and the atmo- 

 sphere a vapour-bath ; when, according to the evolutionists, man was yet — we 

 dare hardly guess what or where — without a dream of either descent or destiny 

 perhaps had not even assumed a tail or aspired to living in trees. The greater 



