MISCELLANEOUS FOLIAGE-PLANTS 141 
and of a dwarf, bushy habit. The following varieties are ex- 
tremely fine, and as easy of culture as Coleus : 
E. albo-marginatum, large ovate leaves margined with 
white; E. atropurpureum, leaves black-purple; E. eldorado, 
bright yellow ; E. reticulatum, leaves broadly lanceolate, green, 
with numerous golden veins. ‘The Eranthemums are suitable 
for all purposes, and are very ornamental when grown into good 
specimens. 
Eucalyptus globulus. The blue gum-tree of Australia is a 
very rapid growing tree, and beautiful when young. Young 
plants are best, and should be raised every year from seed. 
Seed sown in sandy soil and kept in a moderately warm and 
shady place germinates readily. The seedlings should be pot- 
ted singly in two- or three-inch pots in rich fibrous soil. 
Farfugium grande is a strong-growing herbaceous plant, 
with large orbicular yellow-spotted leaves on tall leaf-stalks. 
Will grow rapidly in rich soil, and form fine specimen plants. 
Culture as simple and easy as that of Aspidistra, which see. 
Ficus, or Rubber-plants, are common and popular every- 
where. ‘They should be grown in rich soil, and require liberal 
watering in summer. Besides the common Rubber-plant there 
are several other species of great beauty. The best are F. 
Cooperii, with large ovate-acuminate leaves with red midribs. 
F. Parcellii with tender green leaves, heavily blotched and 
marbled with white. These are especially valuable for the 
Southern States, and are easily propagated by means of cuttings 
in a warm place. fF. elastica is more difficult to increase ; 
tops of old, straggling plants may be rooted in the following 
manner: Select ripe branches with several good leaves, and re- 
move a ring of bark just below the lowest one. Split a small 
flower-pot lengthways and place the same round the branch, 
