266 
vated of any. It comes from the West 
Indies. 
P. rotatwm is from Carolina, and is a 
smaller grower than some others of the 
family. 
P. speciosum. Another West Indian 
plant, a stronger grower than the preced- 
ing. It usually blooms later in the 
summer than P. fragrans. 
P. zeylanicum. A very handsome kind 
of medium growth from Ceylon. 
The above are all white-flowered sorts, 
and will generally be found to be sufficient, 
except in the case of those who form col- 
lections of these plants. 
InsEcts.—The smaller species of insects, 
such as thrips and aphides, that affect stove 
plants, will live wpon Pancratiums. These 
can be destroyed by fumigating with 
tobacco. Scale and mealy bug where pre- 
sent are the most troublesome, as they get 
down into the axils of the leaves, from 
whence they can only be removed by 
sponging or the use of a soft brush, 
PANDANUS. 
The Pandanus or Screw Pines, so called 
from the screw-like form in which their 
leaves spring from the main stem, are 
remarkable for their elegantly curved 
leaves which reflex with a regularity that 
gives them in either a large or small state, 
when well grown, an interesting appear- 
ance. In colour some are deep green with 
a reddish brown shade on their toothed 
edges and sharply spined midrib, as in P. 
utilis or P. elegantissimus, or beautifully 
variegated with white, as in P. Veitchii, or 
P. javanicus. They are mostly strong 
growers, but several of the species attain a 
much larger size than the rest. The 
majority of them come from the hot parts 
of the eastern hemisphere, and consequently 
like a high temperature. 
They are increased from suckers which 
most of the species produce more or less 
freely from the main stem ; if these are 
taken off in the spring, a few of their 
bottom leaves removed, placed singly in 
small pots filled with a mixture of half loam 
and sand, and stood in a brisk bottom heat, 
such as would do for suckers of the edible 
Pines, they will soon emit roots. When 
well rooted it is better to stand the plants 
close to the glass where they will get a full 
volume of light, for upon the leaves not 
becoming at all drawn depends the appear- 
ance of the plants as they get larger. The 
green-leaved kinds require only as much 
shade as will keep their leaves from getting 
injured ; the variegated ones want more 
shading, or the white portions assume an 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
PANDANUS. 
ugly greenish yellow colour. As the sun 
approaches its full power the heat should 
be increased to 70° in the night, with 
10° or 15° more in the day when it is. 
bright, giving air daily when the weather 
will permit, and syringing the plants over- 
head in the afternoons. By the beginning 
of June larger pots will be required ; the 
size of these must be regulated in accord- 
ance with the difference in the kinds culti- 
vated, the most room being given to the 
strongest growers. Drain the pots well ; 
they will succeed in either peat or loam, 
but we prefer the latter, as it usually 
favours more robust growth as well as 
higher colour in the variegated sorts. If 
more root-room is wanted before the end 
of summer it must be given, they are free- 
rooting plants, but yet it is not well to 
give them larger pots than necessary. Re- 
duce the temperature in the autumn, and 
discontinue shading ; 60° or 65° in the 
night will be enough through the winter, 
with 5° or 10° more in the day; at the 
same time keep the soil drier. In the 
spring again increase the warmth both day 
and night, and treat generally as advised 
the preceding season, giving additional pot- 
room as it becomes necessary. All that is 
required further is to follow on with the 
treatment advised up to this point, giving 
larger pots from time to time as the roots 
fill those they already occupy. When the 
specimens get old and the lower leaves fall 
off, or become shabby, the heads may be 
cut away, which will cause the stems to 
break out, the young suckers from which 
can be taken off and treated as advised, 
after which the old stools can be discarded,. 
as young plants are preferable. 
The undermentioned are a few of the best 
and most distinet :— 
P. elegantissimus. A free-growing kind 
from the Mauritius, with handsome foliage 
that ultimately attains a considerable size. 
P. graminifolius. A very handsome 
small-growing kind; one of the most 
elegant in habit and suitable for growing 
where the larger sorts are not. 
P. javanicus variegatus. Is handsomely 
variegated and particularly pretty while 
young. 
P. reflecus. A strong grower that attains 
a very large size; the reflexing of its leaves 
gives it a distinct appearance. A native of 
the East Indies. 
P. utilis. A very strong-growing, hand- 
some species from Bourbon. Suitable for 
cultivating in a big house where its large 
spreading leaves will have room. 
P. Vandermeerschii. This also is a de- 
sirable sort that attains a medium size. 
P. Veitchti. A beautifully variegated 
