346 Mr I'hilip Sewell on the Use, of Sphagnum Moss 



was densely covered with its striking lilac-coloured racemes 

 of flowers. In the same place there may also be seen 

 Boissicea, Tellima, Leucophyta, Saxifraga, Erica arborea, and 

 Primula. 



The positions of these beds are varied in regard to 

 exposure to light, and to the direct rays of the sun. Some 

 are absolutely in the shade, others in an almost continuous 

 glare of the sunshine ; but plants may readily be found 

 suitable for one or the other position. 



The attention which the Sphagnum beds require is but 

 little. In dry weather watering three or four times in the 

 week is necessary, whilst in winter once a week is sufficient. 

 From the nature of the moss, water may be applied quickly, 

 and without a rose to the can. 



The following plants, growing at the present time in these 

 shallow beds of Sphagnum Moss, refuse altogether to grow 

 in the ordinary beds in the garden, or else they remain as 

 stunted and almost lifeless plants, little larger year by year 

 than when they were first planted : — ^schynanthus angusti- 

 folia, ^schynanthus grandifiora, Alpinia vittata, Anthurium 

 cordatum, Ardisia crenulata, Aristolochia Thwaitcsii, Bauera 

 ruhioides (perhaps also in loam), Billhergia thyrsoidea, Billbergia 

 "discolor^' Billhergia " fasciata" Bossicea heterophylla, Bossicea 

 ovata, Bossima rufa, Cypripcdium insigne, Cyrtanthera 

 magnifica, Cyrtanthera polyantha, Calceolaria rugosa, 

 Daphne rtipestris, JDidy^nocarpus Griffithii, Dietes hicolor, 

 Dip)te7ucanthus canescens, Dipter acanthus " squarrosus" Draccena 

 " Hookeri," Fuchsia gracilis. Fuchsia procumheiis, Gardenia 

 citriodora (not healthy), Gonospermum fruticosum, Harden- 

 hergia ovata, Hehcclinium atroruhe7is, Heheclinium " Panamense" 

 Hiptage Madablota, Kalmia latifolia, Lopczia macrophylla, 

 Lachenalia 'pendula, Monstera deliciosa, Philodendron pinnati- 

 fidum, Pleroma macranthum, Pimelia " mirabilis" Eondeletia 

 (Bogeria) cordata, Sanseviera Zeylanica, Scutellaria cordifolia, 

 Skimmia " oUata" Tetranema mexicanum, Thomasia purpurea, 

 Thomasia " comosa." 



Many species of ferns — e.g., of Lomaria, Polypodium, Pteris, 

 Platycerium and Adianttcm — were grown in shady places in 

 these beds, nor would it be possible to grow them so well 

 without more constant attention in other parts of the garden. 

 The following plants appear, on the whole, more at home in 



