The Caladium and Calocasi'a. 



345 



The foliage, especially when young, should be shaded from the direct 

 rays of the sun, but plenty of light should be given, that the leaf-stalks 

 may not become drawn. 



Propagation is readily performed by dividing the tubers, and each 

 portion with an eye will make a plant. It is not a good plan, however, 

 to divide the roots too much, unless desirable to increase the stock ; for 

 the larger the plants the more effective they are. 



Indeed, it is a good plan to plant several tubers of the smaller grow- 

 ing kinds in a pot. Some of the best specimens we ever grew were 

 from many tubers planted in broad pans. While most of these plants 

 partake of the acrid properties of the Arum family, the leaves and 

 roots of some of the species are in tropical countries used as articles 

 of food. 



Tl^ tubers should be potted in January, in a light, rich loam, and, 

 if placed in bottom heat, soon begin to grow. They speedily attain 

 their growth, and develop the beautiful foliage, which retains its 

 markings, and lasts in full perfection for many months. On the ap- 

 proach of autumn it is best to allow the plants to go to rest, by grad 

 ually diminishing the supply of water, until the foliage turns yellov.', 

 when the pots may be placed under the green-house stage, and the 

 tubers kept dry until wanted for growth. While in a state of rest the 

 roots should not be allowed to shrivel up, but any moisture should be 

 carefully guarded against, as the tubers are liable to rot. 



Frost is fatal, for the plants being natives of hot regions, are very 

 tender. 



We have thus treated of the caladium as a stove plant, and such it 

 properly is, and as such only have we been able to grow it in full 

 beauty. 



There have been many paragraphs going the rounds of horticultural 

 journals, recommending caladia as bedding plants for decorative plant- 

 ing, but our experience is not favorable in this respect. In spite of 

 every care, the foliage has been poor, the markings dull, and the whole 

 aspect of the plants anything but ornamertal. We have yet to witness 

 the successful employment of caladia as bedders, and should be de- 

 lighted to learn the details of any successful experiment. 



