MISCELLANEOUS FOLIAGE-PLANTS 143 
for edgings to flower-stands, vases, and boxes. This plant 
should be kept in a small state by frequent division. Rich, 
but sandy, vegetable soil suits it best. 
Kempferias are interesting herbaceous plants with fleshy 
‘root-stock and roots, and flower early in spring before the 
leaves appear. ‘The flowers are very delicate and beautiful, and 
very sweet-scented. The plants are, however, chiefly grown 
as foliage-plants. The best one for this purpose is the variety 
named Gilbertii, with broad and long Dracena-like leaves in 
dense tufts. Foliage variegated with white. The Keempfer- 
ias should be allowed to rest during the earlier part of winter, 
after which the roots should be 
cleaned, potted in very fibrous 
and light soil, and started in a 
warm room. ‘The flowers will 
soon appear and remain for a 
considerable period, after which 
the leaves develop. 
Laurus nobilis. The Sweet 
Bay is an evergreen tree with 
lanceolate, leathery leaves. Cul- 
tivated in different ways, with a 
stem and globular crowns, or as 
bushy or pyramidal plants with 
leaves down to the ground. Rich 
fibrous loam is the best soil. The 
Ficus Parcellt. 
plants may be kept in a cool 
and light cellar in winter, to be used in summer for lawn 
decoration. 
Mimosa pudica. Sensitive plant. This is a very interest- 
ing as well as beautiful plant, with doubly pinnate leaves, sen- 
