1900 SUPPLEMENT—RECENT INTRODUCTIONS, &C. 643 
Room Plants—continued. 
there is no danger of frosts; while even in summer, if the 
cultivator does not mind getting up early, morning is the 
best time, so long as it is done before the sun gets too 
powerful; otherwise his operation had better be deferred 
until the evening. In any case merely wetting the top 
soil is not of the slightest use—indeed harmful, as it 
cakes the surface; the plant should have a good soaking. 
Cactuses require special treatment as regards watering, 
and this is mentioned under their respective heads. 
Most plants dealt with here may be grown successfully 
in a combination of fibrous loam, leaf-soil, and sand. 
Two parts of the first-named to one part of the others 
will be abont the correct proportions. Exceptions are 
the Cactuses, when to fibrous loam and sand should be 
added broken brick rubble to the extent of nearly one- 
half; and some of the hard-wooded plants like Heaths, 
Fic. 655. OPHIOPOGON JABURAN VARIEGATA. 
when peat may replace the leaf-soil, though it is not 
absolutely necessary, as has often been proved. For 
Ferns, there shonld be a preponderance of peat in the 
compost. Potting soils may be bought ready mixed in 
those cases where no conyenience exists for storing them 
on the premises. This is the better plan to adopt. In 
most gardens, however, there would be room, say, for 
providing a supply of leaf-soil. Leaves of any kind can 
be thrown into a heap, but the best soil is that prepared 
from the leaves of Oak and Elm, 
All plants require assistance from time to time in order 
to allow of their perfecting their growth, and of re- 
cuperating those energies exhausted in bringing forth 
their crop of flowers, fruit, or foliage. Taken all round, 
the most conyenient for the general run of gardeners 
who go in for pot-plants are the ‘‘artificials.” Where, 
however, the conveniences exist, there should always be 
kept a tub of soot-water (made by sinking a bag of soot 
in any large tub) and some liquid cow-manure. These 
two manures are most useful in giving colour to such 
foliage plants as Palms, Aspidistras, and the like. 
Room Plants—continued. 
First as to Foliage Plants, of which Palms are the 
chief of the species best suited to room cultivation, the 
following may be named: Howea Forsteriana (Kentia 
Forsteriana) ; Livistona chinensis (Latania _ borbonica) ; 
Trachycarpus excelsus (Chamxrops excelsa) and T. Fortunet 
(Chamzrops Fortunei); Rhapis flabelliformis; Phenix 
rupicola and P. reclinata ; Cocos Weddeliana and C. plumosa 
er pulchra); Archontophenix Cunninghamiana 
Seaforthia elegans, Ptychosperma Cunninghamiana) ; 
Sabal Adansonii and S. Blackburniana (S. wmbraculifera) ; 
Jubza spectabilis; Nannorhops Ritchieana; and most 
of the Arecas. Other good Plants in this section are 
Aspidistra lurida, A. l. variegata, and A. elatior; Fatsia 
japonica (Aralia Sieboldii), which should be freely 
watered from late spring until late summer, and 
afforded a shady position; Cordyline australis and 
C. indivisa ; Ficus elastica (India- 
rubber Plant); Maranta major 
(easily managed if given a position 
where it does not get the direct 
rays of the sun); Ewrya japonica 
and its variegated variety ; Phor- 
mium tenaz and its equally 
desirable and more effective 
variegated forms; Ophiopogon Ja- 
buran variegata (Fig. 653); Arau- 
caria excelsa ; Carex japonica varie- 
gata; Dasylirion acrotrichum and 
D. glaucophyllum latifolium ; Yucca 
filamentosa aureo-variegata and 
Y. aloifolia ; Agave americana and 
its variety variegata, and A. wni- 
vittata; Chlorophytum elatum 
‘ variegatum (better known perhaps 
as Anthericum variegatum and 
Phalangium argenteolineare) ; Cy- 
perus alternifolius and its yarie- 
gated form; Pandanus Candela- 
brum variegatus ; Eulalia japonica 
foliis variegata; Rex Begonias: 
Coleus ; and Ferns. 
Amongst flowering plants there 
are a host of Cactuses, ineluding 
Cereus flagelliformis (Rat’s Tail 
Cactus), C. Berlandieri, C. cxs- 
pitosus, C. pentalophus (C. lepta- 
canthus), C. Blankvi, and C. poly- 
acanthus; Echinocactus gibbosus 
and E. hexedrophorus; Eehinopsis 
Pentlandi and its varieties, E. 
Eyriesii and E. oxygona. _ Mam- 
millaria bicolor, M. gracilis, M. 
sanguinea, and M. elongata, are 
all good. 
In bulbs and tubers Crocuses, 
Hyacinths, Scillas (Squills), Snow- 
drops, Daffodils, and other Narcissi 
(including the Chinese Sacred Lily) 
are all indispensable. Then there 
are Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum 
multiflorum); the Scarborough 
Lily (Vallota purpurea); Isxias 
and Sparaxis; Allium neapolitanwm, A. azwrewm, and 
A. Macnabianum; Anomatheca cruenta; Freesia refracta 
aiba; Erythroniums ; Lachenalia pendula and L. tricolor ; 
Nerine sarniensis and N. Fothergilli (cwrvifolia) major ; 
Tuberoses; Lilies like L. speciosum and its varieties, 
L. longiflorum, L. awratwm and its varieties, and L. Harris: ; 
Fritillaria Meleagris, F. aurea, and F. armena; Mont- 
bretias ; Schizostylis coccinea; early-flowering Gladioli ; 
Watsonias ; Zephyranthes ; and the dwarf Iris species. 
Of tuberons plants there are Anemones like A. coronaria 
(both single and double) ; Tuberous Begonias; Cyclamen 
Coum, C. europzwm, C. hederxfolium (C. repandum), 
C. Atkinsii, and C. libanoticum; and Eranthis hyemalis. 
Geraniums (Pelargoniums) ; Musk; Stocks; Asters ; Forget- 
me-Nots (Myosotis) ; Primula obconica, P. sikkimensis, P. den- 
ticulata cashmeriana, and P. rosea; Cinerarias; Common 
Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger); Deutzia gracilis; 
Hydrangea hortensis ; Cytisus racemosus ; Coronilla glauca ; 
the well-known Dicentra (Dielytra) spectabilis; Astilbe 
(Spirea) japonica ; and Francoa ramosa (Bridal Wreath) and 
F. appendiculata, are other excellent floral subjects. 
