82 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



loam and peat, witH a liberal addition of silver-sand, is, perhaps, 

 the most suitable, and, in shiftiDg the plants into larger pots, it is 

 necessary to press it firm between the ball and the sides of the pots. 

 They require a light position because an abundance of light is neces- 

 sary for the development of the variegation. Plants grown in a 

 moist, shady part of the house, will produce leaves almost wholly 

 green, and in time become quite unattractive ; but by placing them 

 in a light and airy position, those with yellow variegation will 

 become like a mass of burnished gold, and the others will also be 

 most brilliant. They must not in appearance be overpotted, as too 

 much root room is favourable to the development of green leafage, 

 and the production of this should, as far as possible, be avoided. At 

 the same time, they must not be so confined that they only produce 

 stunted growth and small leaves. With respect to watering, it will 

 sufilce to say that they require moderate supplies at all times, and 

 that no liquid manure must be employed. 



Very little training will be necessary ; those with slender leaves, 

 when intended for table decoration, should be allowed to run up with 

 a single stem to a height of twenty inches or so, and then be stopped. 

 The other kinds should be grown in the ibrm of neat bushes, and 

 an occasional stopping of a too vigorous growth, and a little regu- 

 lation of the others, will suffice to produce most handsome specimens. 

 Although requiring the temperature of a stove, they are rather hardy 

 in constitution, and if they are carefully prepared, they may be 

 placed in the drawing-room during the summer. The only prepa- 

 ration needed is to place them in the coolest and most airy end of 

 the house for a fortnight before taking them indoors, and to be care- 

 ful at first to place them where they will not be exposed to draughts. 

 Duplicate ])lants only should be employed Jbr indoor decoration, in 

 case they should be injured. 



The six kinds I should recommend for a small collection of stove 

 plants are : — 



C. angustifolium. A most elegant variety, with extremely long 

 slender gracefully-drooping leaves. The colouring is bright yellow, 

 and when fully developed, exceedingly rich. It is one of the best 

 for table decoration and grand for exhibition or ordinary decorative 

 purposes. 



C. JoJumnis, a very beautiful form ; the leaves nearly two feet 

 long, pendulous. The margins and midrib deep yellow on a bright 

 green ground. Well adapted to the same purposes as the pre- 

 ceding. 



C. pictum. A magnificent plant, with leaves six to nine iuches 

 long, superbly coloured rich crimson, with black and green spots. 



C. undulatum. One of the most attractive varieties. The leaves 

 are of medium size, nearly yellow in their early stage, gradually 

 becoming more deeply coloured, and when mature are of a deep rich 

 green, richly painted and mottled with bright crimson. Very 

 effective and good. 



C. Veitclii. A distinct form, with leaves upwards of twelve inches 

 in length, and nearly three inches in width, which in a young state 

 are mottled with pale yellow, changing with age to reddish purple. 



