122 THE CULTURE OF POT- PLANTS 



at the beginning of the chapter. Some of them are often 

 wrongly called dracoenas. 



Cyperus alternanthifolius. — A rush-like plant with 

 long, narrow leaves arranged in a whorl around the top of 

 the slender stems. There is a variegated form. All plants 

 of this class should be grown in moist soil. 



Dracaena. — The greenhouse or room plants usually grown 

 under this name are cordylines. Dracaenas require stove 

 treatment, and are therefore outside the range of this book. 



Eulalia japonica. — A handsome grass, which, though 

 hardy, is often grown in pots. The two most ornamental 

 forms are Foliis striatis, which has a yellowish white stripe 

 along the centre of the leaves, and Zebrina, in which yellow 

 stripes cross the leaves. Propagation by division in spring. 



Eurya japonica. — An evergreen shrub requiring pro- 

 tection in- winter. There is a variegated form which is more 

 ornamental than the type. The cause of variegation is 

 obscure, but it is a curious fact that the majority of variegated 

 shrubs come from Japan. 



Fatsia japonica. — This is the correct name of the ever- 

 green shrub popularly known as Aralia japonica ox A. Sieboldii. 

 There are two variegated forms, one with white markings 

 and the other with yellow. For cultivation, see Aralia. 



Ferns. — Though ferns are among the most popular of 

 room plants, they are far from being well adapted to the 

 purpose. It is true that they mostly grow in shady places, 

 but they require plenty of moisture in the atmosphere as 

 well as in the soil, and that is impossible in a room. Their 

 delicate fronds, too, are soon injured by dust and dirt, and 

 by the emanations from fires or from the burning of gas 

 or oil. Of course the hardy species need no protection 

 from frost, but for those that are more tender, the best 

 place is a greenhouse with a north or east aspect. There, 

 by watering the floor in summer, the atmosphere can be 

 kept as moist as may be required. The successful cultivation 

 of ferns is largely a matter of the proper management of 

 the water supply. But the fact that they need a great deal 

 of moisture does not mean that the soil should be kept 



