178 PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



PLANTS USED FOR FOLIAGE. 



In the formation of cut flowers into bouquets, etc., the 

 leaves form an indispensable part. In trimming the edges 

 of baskets, Camellia leaves are much used, also Cissus dis- 

 color, a climbing hot-house plant, with brownish-crimson 

 leaves splashed with white ; it requires a temperature of 

 at least 60 degrees in winter, and never develops its rich 

 coloring unless at a high temperature. Another most 

 graceful plant, now very extensively used for its foliage, is 

 Myrsiphyttum asparagoides (Smilax); it is unsurpassed 

 for all kinds of floral decorations, whether for the person 

 or in adding grace to floral ornaments for the table or 

 room. Its leaves, or what passes for leaves, are small and 

 shiny and attached to very delicate wavy stems, and have 

 the quality of retaining their firmness for a long time 

 without wilting. The plant is raised from the seed, or 

 the roots may be purchased from dealers. The root con- 

 sists of a cluster of fleshy tubers which throw out several 

 slender stems, which, if furnished with supports, will 

 climb to the height of 20 feet. Xear our large cities 

 houses are devoted exclusively to the cultivation of 

 " Smilax " the roots being planted in boxes upon the 

 ground and the stems trained by strings up to the rafters. 

 Rose, Lemon, and Apple-scented Geraniums are used with 

 flowers in making up bouquets. 



LILT OF THE VALLEY. 



Fashion rules in flowers the same as in all other mat- 

 ters of ornamentation, and for the past two seasons 1872 

 and 1873 flowers of the Lily of the Valley have been in 

 demand at higher rates in proportion to their size than 

 any other cultivated flower, single spikes of flowers bring- 

 ing from $10 to $15 per 100. The roots are mostly im- 

 ported from Europe, the single crowns or eyes costing 

 about $25 per 1000. The demand for them has been so 

 great that the quality of roots sent us has been very in- 



