FOKEIUN NOTICES. 



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Maraxtas. — Plants with variegated foliage are now in much esteem for dLCoratlve purposes, 

 and well they deserve to be so, for many of them are exceedingly useful, being striking and 

 interesting objects irrespective of their flowers; and hence their beauty is of a more enduiing 

 character than that of plants which have no particular beauty except while in bloom. Unfortu- 

 nately, however, the flowers of most of our finest variegated plants are very uninteresting; but 

 this is of little importance, as the beauty of their foliage will always render them attractive and 

 useful for decorative purposes. Several varieties of Maranta deserve to be ranked among the 

 finest of our variegated plants, being free growers, with large finely marked foliage, which is not 

 so tender and liable to become disfigured by any little mismanagement as is the case with many 

 of our variegated plants. Persons about to commence the culture of this genus, who can only 

 accommodate a few varieties, should procure the red and white veined kinds, which are very 

 beautiful ; but vittata is my own favorite, and is probably the most useful variety of the genus. 

 These are somewhat expensive at present, but there is no risk of losing them, hence there is no 

 danger of having to puichase a second plant, as frequently happens with amateurs in the case of 

 hardwooded plants. Young plants cannot be procured at a better season of the year than the 

 present, for there will be no danger of injury on the journey while the weather is mild. "When 

 received, the plants should be placed in a close but not over warm house or pit, and kept rather 

 dry for a few days until they get over any little injuries they may liave received in travelling. 

 Then examine the state of the roots, and give a moderate shift if necessary, using nice fibry peat 

 with a small proportion of loam carefully broken up, and well intermixed witli plenty of sharp 

 sand and some lumpy bits of cliarcoal, to ensure the free percolation of water through the mass. 

 Likewise have the pots well drained, for the Maranta requires a free supply of water while in 

 active growth; but stagnant moisture about the roots is very injurious, spoiling the markings of 

 the foliage as well as the general health of the plant. After potting, place the plants in a close 

 warm pit or house, where they will not be exposed to bright sun&hine, and water carefully at the 

 root until they get hold of the fresh soil; but dew them overhead with the syringe every fine 

 afternoon. If a bri-k bottom-heat can be commanded, this will greatly assist in promoting active 

 growth; but fine strong specimens will soon be obtained without it. When dull cloudy weather 

 occurs it will probably be necessary to place the plants in a light rather airy part of the house, 

 in order to prevent the foliage being injured by damp ; but unless damp appears inclined to be 

 troublesome, they may be allowed to remain in the warmest corner, and be kept growing on 

 slowly. Syringing will of course be unnecessary in winter, except an occasional wipe on a fine 

 morning, to clear the foliage of dust, <tc.; and too much water must not be given to tlie soil At- 

 tend to rep(itting in spring as early as may be necessary, giving moderate shifts, which are saferj 

 than lai'ge ones. If scale or insects of any kind attack the foliage, these must be carefu'ly removed 

 by means of a sponge and water, auJ tins should be attended to before the foliage gets disfig- 

 ured. By continuing this treatment for a season or two, fne large specimens will be obtained, 

 and when this is the case they may be removed from the stove and placed in the conservatory, 

 where, if they are afloided a close corner, and not over-watered or allowed to suffer fiom damp, 

 they will bo quite at home all the sununer season. But they must be remcv.d to wliere a ten:- 

 pcrature of not less tlian 55° is maintained as soon as cold damp weather sets in in autumr. 

 Large specimens will of couise require to be repotted occasionally, and this should be done as 

 early in spring as there may be an opportunity of affording them a brisk temperature to stir tiie 

 roots. With proper management, specimens will last for any number of years; and propagation 

 is easily effected by dividing the old plants, or by means of offsets, whicli should be taken off 

 with as many. roots as po.-siljle, and ke])t close for a few weeks after potting, when they w " 

 sufficientlv rooted to be treated as established plants. — Alpha in Card. Chron. 



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