77^6' SoJamiDi as a Decorative Plant. 135 



THE SOLANUM AS A DECORATIVE PLANT. 



By Edward S. Rand, Jr., Boston, Mass. 



The genus Solanum, which is the type of tlie large natural order 

 SolanaceiE, is one of the most important in the vegctahle kingdom, 

 whether regarded as to its economic uses, or merely as ornamental and 

 decorati\e. 



The order comprises about sixty genera, mostly natives of tropical 

 countries. It is especially distinguished for plants of narcotic and 

 poisonous properties, and yet includes plants which form staple articles 

 of food. 



Solanum is a very large genus, comprising more than one hundred 

 and fifty species, and hundreds of varieties. The best knov,ai is the 

 Potato {S. tuberosum'), too much cultivated as a vegetable to be con- 

 sidered as a flower, although the blossom is very beautiful, and no 

 finer floral display can be found than a field of potatoes in full bloom. 

 Next we have the Tomato i^S. Lycopcrsicu?)/) — or, as more proj^erly 

 named, Lycopersic?iin esc7ilc7itu)u^ \\\\\z\\ combines economic uses 

 with great decorative properties. 



It is only within a few years that the to-mato became an article of 

 food ; but for a long time previous it had been grown in the flower 

 garden for its rich red fruit, and was known as "' Love-apple." 



The large-fruited varieties now find their appropriate place in the 

 kitchen garden ; but the small-fruited kinds, such as the " grape," " cur- 

 rant," "cherry," and "pear" tomato, are singularly ornamental, and 

 are worthv of a place in the flower border. They require, however, 

 careful training to develop the full beauty of the rich clusters of fruit ; 

 but ^ve will venture to say, that any one who has once had them under 

 good culture will yearly leave a place for them in the garden. Their 

 beauty is, however, entirely in the fruit : the flower is inconspicuous, 

 and the foliage not s'lowy. 



Next we have the Egg Plant (^S. Melongena) in its varieties, which, 

 though not unornamental in flower, is valuable chiefly for its fruit. 

 These are white, dark-purple, and striped, with all intermediate hues ; 



