Il8 The' Solan^iin as a Decorative Plant. 



^o 



tion. The}- are, however, as yet rare, and of only a few can we speak 

 experimentally. As they are increased freely from seed, and propagate 

 readily from cuttings, we have reason to think they will soon be 

 accessible to all. In the city gardens in Paris there is, as we learn 

 from Mr. Robinson, a large house entirely devoted to Solanums, in 

 which are pr(?sei-yed through the winter more than sixty species, which 

 are used for the decoration of the public parks. Among these we may 

 especially mention S. ?narginatum^ No. i in our figure, a large foli- 

 aged species, with dark-green leaves, silvered on the under side — a very 

 showy and beautiful plant. S. fyracanthuin^ No. 3 in our figure, 

 with fine cut foliage, set with bright oi-ange spines, with which the 

 stem is also thickly covered. The fruit of this species is very beautiful, 

 and freely produced. S. acuieatisshmnn somewhat resembles the 

 last, but the foliage is darker, and the spines, which cover every part 

 of the plant, are deep purple. It is a very beautiful species, and is well 

 figured in our plate No. 3. 



S. beataceuin is a very large growing species, with pinkish flowers 

 and dark-green foliage. 



5". laciniatiim is a very sturdy grower, with fine cut foliage, and 

 very efiective. The flowers are deep bluish-purple, freely produced, 

 and are succeeded by clusters of yellow fruit. 



S. robustui7i is a tall species, with dark purplish-green leaves. 

 6". Warscewiczii is a noble plant, with deep-cut foliage, and is very 

 efiective. 



We may also mention, as showy species, S. crinipcs^ vtacrautlnitn^ 

 macrophylliim^ and verbascifollum. 



The general cultural rules for all of the genus may be briefly stated. 

 Being natives of the tropics, they will not bear frost, and are impatient 

 of cold. During the winter they must be preserved in a greenhouse. 

 They require a rich, moist soil, and plenty of room. If not allowed to 

 dry up, they can have the warmest place in the garden. All the 

 species, whether annual or perennial, arc easily raised from seed, or 

 readily propagated from cuttings. 



Our space forbids us to more than mention the allied genera of 



