8o PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



in some species, are very remarkable in form, some, such 

 as A. gigas, A. gigantea, A. Goldieana, and A. brasiliensis, 

 being among the most wonderful, both as regards size and 

 shape. Many have an objectionable odour, but when 

 grown in a large house this is scarcely perceptible except 

 at very close quarters. One of the most charming is A. 

 elegans, the flowers of which are pleasing in form and 

 prettily marked, and they have no odour. The best garden 

 sorts are, in addition to those named, A. clypeata y A. 

 labiosa, and A. leuconeura, the last named having large, 

 heart-shaped, bright green leaves, with ornate reticulating 

 yellow variegation. There are several hardy species, the 

 best of which is A. Sipho, known as Dutchman's Pipe, a 

 useful climber for covering verandahs, &c. They all like a 

 rich soil, plenty of moisture when growing, and they love 

 sunshine. Propagated from cuttings. 



ASPARAGUS 



A great many species of this widely distributed genus 

 are twiners, their wiry stems sometimes growing to a 

 length of 50 feet or more. They have become popular 

 in gardens in recent years, owing to the introduction 

 from Africa about thirty years ago of A.plumosus, which 

 has proved to be a most useful plant to decorators. 

 Another very serviceable species is A. medioloides, popularly 

 known as Boston Smilax, also a native of South Africa. 

 These two are cultivated by market gardeners, who train 

 the stems up strings and then cut them at the base to 

 be used in decorations. Other good climbers, suitable for 

 clothing pillars in warm conservatories, are A. africanus, 

 A. Duchesnei, A. falcatus, A. laricinus, A. racemosus, A. 



