122 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
ance to the scene, and-materially assists in bringing out the graceful outlines of the 
fine foliage plants. For some time past, Primulas and Cyclamens have entered 
largely into the decoration of the house, and it may not be amiss here to state that 
* Williams’s Strains” of Cinerarias, Cyclamens, Primulas, and Calceolarias, have, 
by reason of their excellency, acquired a reputation that may be fairly described as 
world-wide, and have assisted in no small degree to build up the fame of the 
nursery. The flowering plants, it need hardly be said, vary according to the season ; 
but visitors may at all times be assured of meeting with a good display of flowers. 
The Azalea and Camellia-houses are model structures of their kind, and their 
adaptability to the requirements of the inmates is abundantly exemplified by their 
extremely healthy condition, and the profuse manner in which they bloom in their 
respective seasons. The collections of these universal favourites are remarkably 
complete, for they comprise all the finest varieties, new and old, in cultivation, and 
in addition to thousands of plants of the ordinary size, there are considerable numn- 
bers of specimens and half-specimens, so that those who may be desirous of stocking 
their conservatories with specimen plants may do so. 
The plant-stoves present at all times a remarkably bright and attractive appear- 
ance, for if there are at any season but few plants in bloom, the Crotons and 
Dracenas, of which there are now an immense number of splendid kinds in culti- 
vation, are so richly coloured as to be well able to take the place of flowers. All tue 
other fine foliage plants in the collection contribute more or less to the general 
effect; but none of them have such richly.coloured leafage as the Crotons and 
Draczenas. They form two of the very best classes of fine foliage plants for the 
amateur, for they are not over difficult of cultivation, and for the dinner-table and 
indoor decorations generally, when it is safe to remove them from the stove, they 
are qaite unsurpassed. In the stove the golden leafage of the Crotons, and the rich 
carmine, rose, and bronze tints of the Dracenas present a very striking cortrast, and 
are remarkably effective. All the Crotons possess more or less merit; but as six 
kinds will suffice for a small collection, the following selection may be recommended 
as comprising the most distinct and beautiful kinds yet introduced, namely, Croton 
angustifolium, C Johannis, C. majesticum, C. undulatum, C. variegatum, and 
C. Weismanni. The six best Dracnas for small collections, excepting the very 
newest, are, perhaps, Dracena amabilis, D. Cooperi, D. Chelsoni, D. magni- 
fica, D. Sheperdi, and D. stricta, the latter one of the oldest, and still one of 
the best. 
Amongst the choicest of the miscellaneous plants in the stoves may be men- 
tioned, Anthurium Crystallinwm, a glorious plant, with huge shield-shaped leaves, 
overlaid with prominent silvery ribs on an olive-green ground ; Aralia Veitchi, 
one of the most elegant little plants in cultivation; Dipladenia Brearleyana and 
D. Williamsi, two lovely stove climbers, of immense value also for exhibition 
specimens ; Ficus Parcelli, a grand plant, with large leaves blotched with 
white; Zxora Williamsi, a splendid hybrid, raised in these nurseries a few 
years since, which has now taken its place as the best of its class for exhibition and 
general decorations ; Anthwriwm Patini is a pretty species, with white flowers ; and 
A, Scherzerianum Williamsi, a form of the Flamingo Plant, with white spathes, 
which as yet is exceedingly rare. 
The ferneries are extensive and remarkable for the fine collection of filmy ferns 
and the grand specimens of the Gleichenias, which are quite unequalled in trade 
collections. As regards the general collection, we cannot do more than mention the 
fact that it comprises all the best species and varieties in cultivation ; but there are 
two ferns to which we would direct special attention. One is Alsophila Williamsi, 
truly described as a ‘‘ Weeping Tree Fern,’’ for the broad fronds are decidedly pen- 
dulous, and the outline of the plant is extremely elegant; and the other is @ 
Maiden-hair, namely, Adiantum gracillimuwm, and we have only to say that it is 
more light and elegant than Adiantum cuneatum, to induce our fern-growing 
readers to desire its possession. It is the best of all ferns for bouquets, as apart from 
its elegance, the fronds remain a long time in a perfectly firm state after their re- 
moval from the plant. 
For many years before engaging in business, Mr. Williams was well-known as 
a most successful Orchid grower, and probably no one has done more towards 
popularizing these beautiful flowers. It follows, therefore, almost as a matter of 
course, that the collection of Orchids at Holloway is of considerable extent ; and as 
