Il8 THE CULTURE OF POT-rLANTS 



A. chinetisis^ A. racemosa, and A. leptophylla. The plant 

 popularly known as aralia is really Fatsia japonica. It should 

 be treated in the same way. All species should be planted 

 firmly in rich porous soil with a layer of broken crocks, and 

 should be given plenty of water in summer. I'hey can be 

 propagated as described above, or by cuttings of the roots — 

 short lengths inserted in sandy soil in a warm greenhouse. 



Araucaria. — A. imbricata^ the well-known monkey 

 puzzle, is much too stiff to be graceful. A. excelsa (the 

 Norfolk Island pine) and several other species are much 

 better for pots. If neglected, they lose their lower branches 

 and become unsightly, but with care they last for many 

 years. They can all be grown in a cool greenhouse. They 

 should be sprayed frequently to keep their foliage fresh 

 and clean. 



Asparagus. — The species most commonly grown are 

 A. plumosiis and its dwarf variety (na?ius\ and A. Spreiigeri. 

 They are good basket plants, and the feathery sprays are 

 much used in bouquets. They grow most freely in a warm, 

 moist atmosphere, and in a position in which they are shaded 

 from the midday sun in summer. As the species mentioned 

 are evergreen, they should not be dried off in winter, though 

 they then need less water. While they are growing, liquid 

 manure made by dissolving an artificial fertiliser in water 

 should be given to them two or three times a week. When 

 the plants get too large they can be divided in spring. 



Aspidistra. — There is only one species in cultivation, 

 A. elatio)% but it and its white-striped variety {yariegatd) are 

 perhaps the most popular of all room plants, partly because 

 they are less injured by carelessness or neglect than any 

 others. At the same time they respond readily to good 

 treatment, growing very much finer when they are properly 

 tended. In summer they can hardly be overwatered, and 

 even in winter they should not be allowed to get dry. A little 

 fertiliser may be given to them, but richness of soil is not 

 desirable for the variegated form, as it tends to make the 

 young leaves come entirely green. When the plants are 

 kept too dry they are liable to be attacked by red spider. 



