46 Subtropical Gardening. 



our conservatories. Seed of A. Julibrissin or the silk- 

 rose, as it is called by the Persians in consequence of its 

 silky stamens is readily obtained, and it is much better 

 raised from seed, as then you get those single-stemmed 

 and vigorous young plants which are to the flower- 

 garden what an elegant fern is to the conservatory or 

 show-house. To succeed with it in the way above named, 

 it may be protected at the root and cut down every year 

 in spring, or strong young plants may be put out annually, 

 in much the same way as those of A. lophantha. 



Acacia lophantha. This elegant plant, though not 

 hardy, is one of those which all may enjoy, from the 

 freedom with which it grows in the open air in summer. 

 It will prove more useful for the flower-garden than it 

 has ever been for the houses, and, being easily raised, 

 is entitled to a place here among the very best. The 

 elegance of its leaves and its quick growth in the open 

 air make it quite a boon to the flower-gardener who 

 wishes to establish graceful verdure amongst the brighter 

 ornaments of his parterre. It has graceful fern-like 

 leaves and a close and erect habit, which permits us to 

 closely associate it with flowering plants without in the 

 least shading them or robbing them. Of course I 

 speak of it in the young and single-stemmed condition, 

 the way in which it should be used. By confining it to 

 a single stem and using it in a young state, you get 

 the fullest size and grace of which the leaves are capable. 

 Allow it to become old and branched, and it may be 

 useful, but by no means so much so as when young and 

 without side branches. It may be raised from seed as 

 easily as a common bedding plant. By sowing it early 



