Stove and Greenhouse Plants and Flowers 129 



west of Ireland, Arum Lilies may be grown in the open air all the year 

 round. Besides the ordinary variety there is a dwarf-growing form called 

 " Little Gem ", and another called " Childsi " both much smaller than the 

 type. There is also a strong-growing variety called Nicolai, 4J-5 ft. high, 

 which has spathes 1 ft. or more 

 across probably much too large to 

 be popular with market growers. 



Next to the white Arum Lily, 

 the yellow-flowered one called Elliot- 

 tiana (fig. 261) is most extensively 

 grown more by nurserymen, how- 

 ever, than by market men. It re- 

 sembles the ordinary form in shape 

 and size, but the leaves are deco- 

 rated with silvery semi-translucent 

 blotches, and the spathes are of a 

 bright golden yellow. It requires 

 to be grown in greater heat, and is 

 readily reproduced from seeds, from 

 which flowering plants develop in 

 about three years. There are several 

 other Richardias, but they are chiefly 

 grown in small numbers for private 

 trade. 



Asparagus. There are many 

 species of Asparagus, but the most 

 valuable for market purposes are 



the feathery A. plumosus and its flat variety nanus\ A. Sprengeri and 

 A. medeoloides. The latter is far better known in the florist trade as 

 "Smilax" a quite distinct genus. 



A. plumosus and its variety nanus are both climbing South African 

 plants, with graceful needle -like foliage, highly valued by florists for 

 mixing with floral emblems of every description. Both kinds should be 

 grown in a warm greenhouse or stove in loamy soil with a little sand 

 and leaf mould. For market work large airy houses are best, and wires 

 or strings should be fixed for tying the stems. 



A. Sprengeri, from Natal, is now extensively grown in 5 -in. and 

 6-in. pots, or in baskets for hanging work, but its trails, 3-4 ft. long, are 

 also used largely in floral work. It may be grown under conditions similar 

 to those of A. plumosus, plants in 5-in. pots realizing from 10s. to 12s. 

 per dozen. The long trails of A. plumosus and nanus fetch about Is. Qd. 

 to 2s. per half-dozen, while shorter pieces realize from 12s. to 18s. per 

 dozen bunches. 



The "Smilax" (A. medeoloides or Myrsiphyllum asparagoides) is a 

 popular market plant. It is grown in pots or in beds like A. plumosus, 

 the slender trailing stems, with Myrtle-like leaves, being twined round 



Fig. 261. Richardia Elliottiana 



VOL. II. 



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