Ricinus. 183 



quiring, however, to be raised in heat. It should be sown 

 about the middle of February, and the plants gradually 

 hardened off so as to be fit to put out by the middle of 

 May. The Ricinus is a grand plant for making bold and 

 noble beds near those of the more brilliant flowers, and 

 tends to vary the flower-garden finely. It is not well to 

 associate it closely with bedding-plants, in consequence 

 of the strong growth and shading power of the leaves, 

 so to speak. A good plan is to make a compact group 

 of the plant in the centre of some wide circular bed 

 and surround it with a band of a dwarfer subject, say 

 the Aralia or Caladium, and then finish with whatever 

 arrangement of the flowering plants may be most admired. 

 A bold and striking centre may be obtained, while the 

 effect of the flowers is much enhanced, especially if the 

 planting be nicely graduated and tastefully done. For 

 such groups the varieties of the Castor-oil plant are not 

 likely to be surpassed. East Indies. 



The most notable varieties are R. c. sanguineus, the 

 stem, leaf-stalks, young leaves, and fruit of which are of a 

 blood-red colour ; R. c. borboniensis, which in southern 

 climates often attains the extraordinary height of 26 ft. 

 in one year ; R. c. giganteus, a very tall kind from the 

 Philippine Islands. 



Other kinds in cultivation are R. Belot Desfougerh (a 

 very tall and branching kind), R. inridis (of a uniform 

 lively green colour), R. insignis, R. africanus, R. africa- 

 nus albidus, R. minor, R. hybridus, R. microcarpus. 



The better and richer the soil, and the warmer the 

 position, the more vigorous will be the growth of any of 

 the above. Copious watering in summer is indispensable. 



