50 FLOWERS AND THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



During the growing season they must have a moderate 

 supply of water, but plenty of moisture in the air ; 

 in winter they should be put as much to the sun as 

 possible, turning them often that every leaf may get its 

 share of light. They bloom so abundantly that it is 

 advisable when the flowering is half over to cut off the 

 powers, buds and all. In hot days they should be kept 

 in a shady part of the house. They are propagated by 

 Small cuttings in spring, in sand, with heat, under a bell 

 glass. The glass should be often wiped and shaded. 



The Alocasia metallica is one of the most splendid of 

 the handsome foliaged plants. It is of the Arum family, 

 and throws up its magnificent leaves, from sixteen to twenty 

 inches long, and wide in proportion, from the root. The 

 diversity of its colours, aided by a brilliant gloss, is too 

 variable to describe, and in sunshine produces a positively 

 gorgeous effect. It is a native of Borneo. It should be 

 grown in a compost of rough fibrous peat, mixed with a 

 little well decayed leaf-mould, and a large proportion of 

 silver sand. The pot must be well drained, to avoid 

 stagnant water round the root, but the plant requires 

 plentiful watering and a moist atmosphere. It is propa- 

 gated by parting the root, but it makes its offsets freely. 

 The young plants, after they are divided, should be 

 covered with a glass, and the pots plunged in a bottom 

 heat of 83 or 85. 



, The Hydrangea Japonica variegata is a handsome 

 foliaged hydrangea, requiring no higher a temperature 

 than 55 to 60 in summer, and 45 to 50 in winter. 

 Hydrangeas generally like rich earth, but the variegated 

 sort must be kept in poor soil, or the variegation will 

 disappear. They like a good deal of water, and are pro- 

 pagated by cuttings taken in May. 



There are many more splendid plants which I should 

 like to add to this list, but I find it already almost too 

 long, and including quite choice enough for persons who 

 like to try a few. One, however, familiar to those who 

 visit Covent Garden Market, must not be omitted. The 

 Poinsettia pulclierrima is famous for its handsome scarlet 

 bracts, which are brilliant enough to exceed flowers iu 



