THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 81 



plants tliat began to show flowers before January was out, and are 

 now like miniature mountains of gold. Last year I saved a lot of 

 seed ; but it was lost through not being looked after, and many friends 

 have upbraided me for not sending them a little. iSTow I will engage 

 to save and send to all who wish for a bit of seed of Shakespeare's 

 Wall-flowers, for my plants will produce an enormous quantity. 

 Those who would like to have a few pods liave but to send a stamped 

 and directed envelope to 5, Paternoster-row, and in due time it shall 

 be posted to them with two or three pods of the ripe seed. I should 

 certainly not ofter this seed if the variety were of inferior quality ; 

 but in truth there is no better yellow wall-flower iu cultivation, and 

 if the plants are allowed to stand, they will spread into dwarf bushes 

 two to three feet wide, and wUl flower with surprising freedom. 



S. H. 



NOTES ON CROTONS. 



BY B. B. WILLUMS, F.E.H.S., 



(Author of "The Orchid Growers' Manual," etc.), Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, 



Upper Hollo way, N. 



MATBURS and others who possess the convenience for 

 the cultivation of stove plants, are not so much con- 

 cerned about the cultural requirements of crotons, 

 which comprise some of the most beautiful of plants 

 with ornamental leafage, as they are perplexed in 

 selecting the best varieties. During the last five or six years a 

 large number of new kinds have been introduced, and the list has 

 been augmented so considerably that the amateur, who has but few 

 opportunities for making comparisons, is necessarily at a loss to 

 know, if he requires half-a-dozen sorts, which to select. For the 

 purpose of assisting readers of the Floral World, I shall, after 

 making a few remarks on their cultivation, give a list of half-a-dozen 

 sorts, which are remarkable for beauty and distinctness. This is 

 the more especially necessary, as a few of the recently introduced 

 sorts are more remarkable as curiosities than they are for the value 

 they possess for decorative purposes. 



In the first place, I would say that Crotons are more especially 

 valuable for the rich appearance they present in combination with 

 draca;nas, and other dark-leaved plants during the winter season, 

 when there are not many flowers to brighten up the plant-houses. 

 They are of course very beautiful during the summer season, as 

 amply demonstrated by the fine specimens which are presented 

 annually at the principal exhibitions held in tha metropolis and the 

 provinces. As they develoji their true character and rich leaf-tints 

 at a very early stage, they present a most attractive appearance, 

 even when in a small state, and the varieties with long narrow leaves 

 are of great value for table decoration. The cliief points in their 

 culture are a fibrous soil, well-drained pots, and a light and rather 

 airy position in the house. A compost consisting of good fibrou*? 



Mi'ch. (j 



