Greenhouse and Stove Planff. 



11 



fining them under proiJagating glasses, or 

 in an enclosed case within the house or 

 pit. 



Insects. — We would particularly direct 

 the attention of all beginners who aspire 

 to grow even the most common plant well, 

 to the necessity of waging a continuous 

 war against the different insects that prey 

 upon plants, especially those imder arti- 

 ficial cultivation. Plants here exist under 

 conditions the least favourable to their 

 withstanding the ravages of insects, inas- 

 much as the liniited extent of the food 

 supjilied to them in the confined space 

 allotted to their roots must render them 

 less able to bear the extraction of their 

 life's blood — the sap — Avhich these animal 

 parasites are continually draining from 

 them, than they would be if cultivated in 

 the open air, with full scope for their roots 

 to extend in all directions in search of 

 food. Still more, insects that prey upon 

 plants in glass structures exist under con- 

 ditions most favourable for their develop- 

 ment ; here their breeding season is in 

 most cases prolonged to the whole of the 

 year, and they are secure from their 

 natural enemies, which in a state of natui'e 

 Avould often make short work of tliem. "We 

 have observed that any plant which in the 

 early stage of its growth is seriously in- 

 jured through the ravages of insects, is 

 never, even if afterwards thoroughly 

 cleansed and well nursed through the re- 

 mainder of its existence, extending over a 

 number of years, so vigorous or so capable 

 of being gro-nai into a fine specimen as a 

 plant that has not similarly suffered. It 

 always appeared to be affected like a plant 

 that has been stunted through insufficient 

 root-room whilst young. By this it will 

 be understood that we are alluding to the 

 more injurious species of insects that affect 

 plants. There are two especially — white 

 scale and mealy bug. "Where these exist 

 to any extent in a collection of plants, it is 

 an impossibility ever to have them in such 

 condition as where these insects are absent ; 

 brush, sponge, and syringe may be kept 

 incessantly at work, but unless means be 

 taken for their thorough extermination the 

 continual use of these appliances leaves its 

 mark in the shape of scanty injured foliage 

 and meagre flowers. Brown scale, thrips, 

 aphides, and red spider, to a greater or less 

 extent, are ever troublesome on plants 

 cultivated under glass, and their presence 

 to any considerable extent is highly in- 

 jurious. "Where a high standard of culture 

 is aimed at they must be kept well under. 

 The means that can be had recourse to for 

 the destruction of each is often dift'erent in 

 different kinds of plants, inasmuch as all 



are not alike able to bear an application of 

 the same means for killing the insects. 

 Consequently, we have found it advisable 

 to give together with the directions for the 

 cultivation of each genus of plants the 

 means we have found best calculated for 

 the destruction of the insects to Avhicli it 

 is subject. The above remarks, apply- 

 ing to stove plants, and those of a like 

 character which -will be found relating 

 similarly to greenhouse plants, as a matter 

 of course will be understood as being of a 

 general character in their application. 

 Great numliers of species and varieties of 

 plants require something or other excep- 

 tional in their treatment as compared with 

 that of others ; particulars in every case 

 will be found given under the head of each 

 particular kind. 



There are several operations connected 

 with the cultivation of plants of nearly all 

 kinds that are so general in their applica- 

 tion — such, for instance, as always having 

 the pots clean inside as well as outside, 

 before putting any plants in them, and of 

 draining the pots proi^erly— that it has 

 not been considered necessary to allade to 

 them in the directions given for each 

 particular sj^ecies or variety of plant, ex- 

 cept where it is needful to be more than 

 ordinarily careful. This, of course, applies 

 to the greenhouse and stove plants, 

 flowering as well as fine-leaved. In the 

 plants hereafter treated of, the particular 

 purjKjse that each species and variety is 

 ada]>ted for is pointed out, whether as roof 

 climbers, trained pot specimens, large or 

 small, for yielding flowers for cutting, or 

 for general decorative use. 



FERNS. 



General Details of Cultivation. — 

 It is needless to say that Ferns are indis- 

 pensable in any collection of plants, how- 

 ever select. Their elegant, distinct, and 

 varied forms afford a maiked contrast to 

 everything else in the vegetable kingdom, 

 vaiying in aj^jaearance as they do from the 

 noble arborescent species to the low spread- 

 ing Hymenoj)hyllums, with their singular 

 filmy leaves, and the grotesque-looking 

 Platyceriums. They are favourites with 

 all lovers of plants. "U'ith few exceptions, 

 they are easily gro-mi, providing a few 

 matters indispensable to nearly all the 

 species are kept in viev/. Taken as a whole. 

 Ferns are moisture and shade-loving plants, 

 mostly found growing naturally in damp 

 places, where there is not only a consider- 

 able amount of moisture within reach of 

 their roots, but where the atmosphere is 

 more or less charged with moisture. 



