FOLIAGE PLANTS IN TOTS IIJ 



The lower portion of the stem can be divided into portions, 

 each containing about two joints, and used as cuttings. Even 

 the base with the old roots may supply other plants, for in 

 the warm, moist air of a greenhouse fresh shoots will probably 

 come up through the soil. 



The more permanent the foliage, the more necessary is 

 careful cultivation. If a fuchsia loses a few leaves through 

 mismanagement, no great harm is done ; it has many to start 

 with, and it can soon grow others, so bareness at the base is 

 soon cured (except, perhaps, in the case of very old and worn- 

 out specimens) by cutting back and causing new shoots to 

 break. With such plants as Ficus elasiica it is different. 

 They naturally have very few leaves, and those few are meant 

 to serve for many years. They do not make good their loss 

 by means of new leaves on side shoots, like fuchsias, but 

 remain bare afterwards. Any carelessness in their case is 

 therefore irreparable. It is perfectly true that these plants 

 with their thick, leathery leaves can endure drought better 

 than others of more delicate texture, and are less likely to be 

 injured by change of temperature, by dust, or other impurities 

 of atmosphere, or even by want of food ; but there is a limit, 

 and the greater the distance from that limit, the longer they 

 are likely to remain in a satisfactory condition. They should 

 be given as much fresh air as possible whenever the weather 

 will allow. They should be syringed frequently. Any insects 

 noticed on them should be sponged off at once with an 

 insecticide. They should be watered abundantly in summer, 

 and given a weak fertiliser at intervals. In winter they 

 should be kept drier, but never quite dry, for evergreens do 

 not, like deciduous plants, have a complete rest at any season. 

 They are therefore always using some water, though when 

 the temperature is low it is not very much. 



In the following list palms are grouped together under 

 that heading, and ferns are treated in the same way. Agave 

 and aloe will be found among the succulents. 



Aralia. — A genus of handsome foliage plants. Some of 

 the finest, such as A. Ritchii, require stove treatment, but 

 others are nearly or quite hardy, among them being 



