THE FLOBAL TTOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 257 



MARANTAS. 



LANTS with variegated foliage are now in much esteem 

 for decorative purposes, and well they deserve to he so, 

 for many of them are exceedingly useful, being striking 

 and interesting objects irrespective of their flowers ; 

 and hence their beauty is of a more enduring character 

 than that of plants which have no particular beauty except while in 

 bloom. Unfortunately, however, the flowers of most of our finest 

 variegated plants are very uninteresting ; but this is of little im- 

 portance, as the beauty of their foliage will always render them 

 attractive and useful for decorative purposes. Several varieties of 

 Maranta deserve to be ranked among the finest of our variegated 

 plants, being free growers, with large, finely-marked foliage, which 

 is not so tender and liable to become disfigured by any little mis- 

 management, as is the case with many of our variegated plants. 

 Persons about to commence the culture of this genus, who can only 

 accommodate a few varieties, should procure the red and white 

 veined kinds, which are very beautiful. 



Young plants cannot be procured at a better season of the year 

 than the present, for there will be no danger of injury on the 

 journey while the weather is mild. When received, the plants 

 should be placed in a close but not over-warm house or pit, and 

 kept rather dry for a few days until they get over any little injuries 

 they may have received in travelling. Then examine the state of 

 the roots, and give a moderate shift, if necessary, using nice fibry 

 peat, with a small proportion of loam carefully broken up, and well 

 intermixed with plenty of sharp sand and some lumpy bits of char- 

 coal, to insure the free percolation of water through the mass. Like- 

 wise have the pots well drained, for the Maranta requires a free 

 supply of water while in active growth ; but stagnant moisture 

 about the roots is very injurious, spoiling the markings of the 

 foliage as well as the general health of the plant. After potting, 

 place the plants in a close warm pit or house, where they will not 

 be exposed to bright sunshine, and water carefully at the root until 

 they get hold of the fresh soil ; but dew them overhead with the 

 syringe every fine afternoon. If a brisk bottom- heat can be com- 

 manded, this will greatly assist in promoting active growth ; but 

 fine, strong specimens will soon be obtained without it. When 

 dull, cloudy weather occurs, it will probably be necessary to place 

 the plants in a light, rather airy part of the house, in order to pre- 

 vent the foliage being injured by damp; but unless damp appears 

 inclined to be troublesome, they may be allowed to remain in the 

 warmest corner, and be kept growing on slowly. Syringing will, of 

 course, be unnecessary in winter, except an occasional wipe on a 

 fine morning, to clear the foliage of dust, etc. ; and too much water 

 must not be given to the soil. Attend to repotting in spring as 

 early as may be necessary, giving moderate shifts, which are safer 

 than large ones. If scale or insects of any kind attack the foliage, 

 these must be carefully removed by means of a sponge and water, 



September. 17 



