1S73.] SELECTION OF PLANTS FOR EFFECT. 37 



A SEIiECTIOIJ" OF PLAISTTS WITH ARKATsTGEMEl^T 

 FOE, EFFECT. 



In arranging a plant-house, it is a comparatively easy matter to set down 

 the plants where they happen to fit in nicely ; but when a pleasing 

 harmony or contrast is aimed at, the task becomes a much more diffi- 

 cult one. Plants require to be grown in quantity for the purpose, and 

 when a judicious selection of sorts is made and well attended to, and 

 coming in for use at their proper time, it is well-repaid labour — at least 

 it has always been a pleasant task to me, and I have practised it to 

 some extent for several years. In this paper I purpose to treat of 

 stove-plants only, and confine myself to four sorts — viz.. Begonia 

 manicata, and Dracaenas Cooperii, terminalis, and ferrea. Old Begonia 

 manicata is a great favourite of mine. I have had large plants of it 

 in 15-inch pots, and always several small ones, their period of flowering 

 extending from January till the beginning of April. The idea of u sing it 

 as an effective plant occurred to me some two years ago, when arranging 

 the stove in spring. I happened to have two very well flowered plants 

 in 5-inch pots, and set them down with a Dracaena ferrea between 

 them. I thought at the time that a row of B. manicata, with the above- 

 mentioned Dracaina between them, would have a fine effect. I took a 

 note of it, and prepared a number of jDlants in proper time as under. 

 The cuttings w^ere put into the propagating bed in the beginning of 

 June, and when nicely rooted were potted into 3|-inch pots : when 

 ready they were shifted into 5-inch do., and allowed to remain on the 

 back bed of the propagating pit, " among other plants grown for a 

 similar purpose," till the beginning of November, when they were 

 taken to a shelf in the plant-stove, where they were allowed to re- 

 main till they were coming into flower. By the time they were in full 

 flower, their height, pot and all, would be about 18 inches. They were 

 taken down and arranged alternately with the Draca3nas, which ranged 

 from 15 to 18 inches in height, pot included. This made a 

 very pleasing, and at the same time a very effective, front row. The 

 fine dark foliage of the Dracaenas contrasted nicely with the beautiful 

 and graceful flowers of the Begonia, while its fine large green foliage 

 formed a beautiful groundwork to the whole, the pots being almost 

 completely hid by it. I have a few more favourites which I have 

 grown for similar purposes, but will reserve them for another 

 paper. J. Heath. 



