390 



JOUENAIi OF HORTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 



nud is, perhaps, more ornamental than any other Idud in 

 cultivation. The stems attain a heiaht of from 1 to 3 feet 

 (the latter size only when well grown) ; theii- leafstalks are 

 beautifully mottled, nud banded with green and metallic 

 white. The blade of the leaf varies from 1 to 3 feet in length, 

 and its long ears render it very conspicuous. The upper 

 surface is of a deep gi-eeu, suffused and veined with silvery 

 white, whilst the back of the leaf is tinged with dull purple. 



A. jiETALLicA. — This is a plant of dwarfer habit ihan that 

 previously named, usirally growing from 12 to 18 inches high. 

 The leaves are of great substance, obtusely ovate in shape, 

 and of a uniform deep bronzy hue, ■which gives it a most dis- 

 tinct appearance. It is a native of Borneo. 



A. Lowii. — A species from the same island as A. metallica, 

 producing cordate-sagittate leaves, which are bright green on 

 the upper side, ribbed with ivory white, the reverse of the leaf 

 being deep puii^le. It is a most oriianuntal species. 



A. fiic.ANTEA. — In some respects this phint resembles A. in- 

 termedia ; it may, however, be readily disthiguished by the 

 long, spreading, ear-like lobes of its large sagittate leaves, 

 which are deep green above, veined with white and deep slate 

 colour below. 



A. Sedeni. — This is anotlier beautiful hybrid, produced in 

 the establishment of Messrs. Veitch by crossing A. metallica 

 with A. Lowii ; and when I say it combines the colours and 

 characters of both its parents, my readers will readily under- 

 stand that it is at once a handsome plant and a valuable 

 addition to our stove ornaments. 



A. ZEBHixA. — This a grand species, a larger gi'ower than any 

 of those previously named, and therefore not so easily accom- 

 modated by those amateurs having but limited space ; never- 

 theless, those who can find room for it will be amply repaid 

 by its majestic character. The blade of the leaf is large, 

 broadly sagittate, and full ; deep, shining green in colour. The 

 leaves are supported upon stout footstalks, which are pale 

 green and beautifully striped with numerous zig-zag bauds or 

 belts of deep green. It is a native of the Philippines. 



There are several other species which form splendid objects 

 in the stove, but are not included here, as my object has been 

 to name only those which will bear removal to the dweUing- 

 house. The soil I prefer for these jilants is a mixture of peat, 

 thoroughly good decomposed manure, some sphagnum moss, 

 a little loam, and some sharp silver sand. Let the pots be 

 well drained during the growing season, give an abundance of 

 water, and there will be no difficulty in the amateiu' providing 

 himself or herself with elegant specimens of Alocasias for 

 the winter decoration of apartments. — Expekio Ckede. 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



As the principal summer crops are now planted, attention 

 will be requisite to keep up a proper succession of vegetables. 

 To do this requires some forethought, and it is scarcely pos- 

 sible to lay down rales for guidance, considering that so many 

 circumstances are involved. The wetness or dryness of par- 

 ticular localities, the texture and the capacity of soils for 

 resisting drought, are, however, the principal which require 

 consideration in keeping up a continuous supply. Such hi- 

 formation is only to be obtained on the spot by actual expe- 

 rience. Successional crops of Walchcren llroccoli, CiiiiUlhni-crs, 

 and Cnhhaiji- must be planted to meet the demand. See that 

 the young Cclcnj has a good supply of water and plenty of 

 air. Checks are extremely hurtful to vegetables requiring to 

 he quickly grown. This is the best time for sowing the prin- 

 cipal crops of Eed and Silver ISect, Sahafij, and Scorzvncra, 

 as they are apt to run to seed when sown earlier. Frequently 

 jhoe between the crops of Broad j;c««.s and Pcds, and stick the 

 atter before they become too tall ; also use the hoe Ijetweeu 

 the crops of CirroH, Onion.':, Pai-.-dcy, and ramiip^i. Lettnci'.-:, 

 Sadishes, and Sjuniieh should be sown frequently. Sow Sweet 

 and Bush Basil, also Sweet Marjoram, in gentle heat for trans- 

 planting. Make a sowing of those lands of herbs required to 

 keep up a regular supply. The first rain there is, let the 

 herb compartment be put in order. Another crop of Scarlet 

 Banners may be planted. See that Tomatoes are being pro- 

 perly hardened-off to be planted against spare palings or open 

 parts of the garden walls next month. A few in some places 

 may be tried on a warm slopmg bank. Assist the newly- 

 planted crops by waterings. 



FKUIT GAKDEN. 



Persevere in the destruction of insects, and use every means 



to prevent the young shoots being injured, for if they sustain 

 any check at the present season they will not soon recover, 

 the wood will be made late, and unless the autumn should 

 prove favourable it wUl not be possible to get it well ripened. 

 In cases where tobacco water cannot be easily obtained, a 

 mixture of flowers of sulphur and Scotch snuff applied with a 

 sulphurator will be equally efficacious, but this should not bo 

 resorted to on a showery day, unless the trees can be covered 

 to prevent its being washed off too suddenly. Look after the 

 caterpillars on Gooseberry trees. One way of getting rid of 

 this pest is to give the trees a heavy washing with a powerful 

 engine, throwing the water against the under sides of the leaves, 

 so as to wash off the caterpillars. They may then be readily 

 IdUed on the ground. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



Now that we have showery and somewhat mild weather, this 

 department will afford ample eniplojTnent for all the strength 

 which in most cases can be concentrated upon it. Hardy 

 annuals must be sown at once, covering them lightly with fine 

 soil. Stocks, Pentstemons, Antirrhinums, Hollyhocks, &c., 

 that have been properly hardened off, should be placed where 

 they are to bloom, as also any remaining stock of biennials 

 and perennials. The planting of tender Eoses should not 

 longer be delayed. Get bedding stock hardened off as ex- 

 peditiously as possible, but in removing them from the pits 

 and frames place them where they can be covered at night in 

 case of necessity, and also take care that they are not injured 

 by too sudden exposure to bright sunshine. Be particularly 

 careful that the stock is perfectly free from fly before removing 

 it from under glass. Encourage any backward stock to make 

 free growth in order to get them strong before bedding-out 

 time, for it is useless planting out until the plants are of some 

 size and well estabUshed. There is nothing which sets off tlie 

 grounds of a residence so much as good gi'avel walks. To 

 keep them, however, in proper order they generally require to 

 be freshened-up annually. Dry weather m the spring is the 

 proper season, as various small weeds which establish them- 

 selves during the winter can then he destroyed. Unless the 

 gravel requires entire renewing, a shallow loosening of tlie 

 surface, to be raked over every alternate day for a week, will 

 suffice, after which a thin coat of new gravel should be put 

 on, and the whole well consolidated by rolling. Whatever 

 kind of material the walks are made with, to secure their dry- 

 ness there should be a sufficient number of drains to cai'ry oft' 

 the surface water. In finishing them off no more rise should 

 be allowed from the sides to the centre than wlU carry the 

 water to the edges freely, as nothing is more disagi'eeable to 

 walk on, or for appearance, than walks raised much higher 

 than the margin of turf at tlieu- sides. The gravel walks con- 

 nected with the flower garden may remain till the beds are 

 furnished with the summer plants ; the whole can then be 

 finished-oft' without entailing any disturbance which planting 

 the beds might cause, and thus \viU afterwai'ds continue in 

 good order throughout the season. When the weather is 

 favourable DahUas may be planted out in very rich and well- 

 prepared soil. It will be advisable to cover them with an in- 

 verted flower-pot if the nights appear at all likely to be frosty ; 

 the main supports should also now be put to them ; if deferred 

 till a later period the young fibres are apt to be injured. 



GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 



As the conservatory plants are now making active progress 

 the whole wUl require libcr.al waterings. Such as are growing 

 in the open borders should bo frequently examined to see that 

 they have their proper share. Take the opportunity of an 

 early hour in the morning to _give a good washing with the 

 engine or syringe to eveiything except the plants in bloom ; 

 the house will then become airy and enjoj-able by the forenoon. 

 Frequently clean over the borders, and remove decayed blooms 

 and leaves as they occur, that the house may at all times 

 present a clean and fresh appear.inee. As soon as the cold 

 pits and frames become clear of bedding stuff they should be 

 occupied with j'oung stock of hardwooded plants, for the sum- 

 mer growth of which they are better adapted than large 

 houses. Such plants will also be found suitable for dwai'f 

 Lobelias, Salvia splendcus, S. gesnerfeflora, and many other 

 plants which are generally grown for flowering in the conserva- 

 tory in summer and autumn ; indeed, most plants which re- 

 quh-e only a moderate temperature will be more manageable 

 here and thrive better than in lofty houses with double the 

 attention. As early-flowering New Holland plants go out of 

 bloom they should be treated in the way most favourable to 

 secure compact growth, placing them in an airy part of the 



