Stove and Greenhouse Plants and Flowers 105 



stove temperature and in rich loamy soil; and also by dividing the old 

 clumps into pieces. The plants are chiefly used for furnishing and decora- 

 tion. There is a variegated kind but it is rarely grown. Another species, 

 G. laxus, is grown for market also. It is ornamental in appearance, but 

 somewhat looser in habit than the first-named. There is also a variegated 

 form of it. Plants in 5-in. pots (48's) fetch from 4s. to 6s. per dozen in 

 market. 



Cytisus racemosus (or fragrans). Popularly known as "Genista" in 

 the trade, this charming Leguminous plant from the Canary Islands has 

 for many years been cultivated in thousands by market growers as a 

 winter-flowering shrub. Plants are raised from cuttings of the half-ripened 

 shoots inserted in very sandy soil in March and April, about three dozen 

 being placed in a well-drained 5-in. or 6-in. pot. If kept close and warm 

 they root in five or six weeks, and may then be moved singly into small 

 pots. As these become filled with roots, the young plants are transferred 

 to 4-in. or 5-in. pots and grown on steadily in genial warmth and moisture. 

 The tips of the shoots are pinched out from time to time to make the 

 plants bushy. During the summer months more air is given to harden 

 the plants, and they are grown steadily throughout the autumn and winter 

 months in a greenhouse temperature. In March following they will be 

 large enough to move into 5-in. and 6-in. pots, using a compost of good 

 yellow loam with a dash of silver sand and leaf mould, or well -rotted 

 manure, and potting firmly. During active growth the plants are syringed 

 daily, this being necessary not only to promote growth but also to check 

 attacks of Red Spider. By the following winter, plants thus grown become 

 fine bushy specimens, each shoot being laden with a truss of bright golden- 

 yellow flowers. Plants in 5-in. 

 pots realize from 6s. to 12s. per 

 dozen, higher prices being ob- 

 tained for particularly fine speci- 

 mens in larger pots. The variety 

 superbus is superior to the ordi- 

 nary form, and is remarkable for 

 its fragrance. 



Datura (Brugmansia). A 

 genus of herbaceous and shrubby 

 plants, the latter being perhaps 

 best known as " Brugmansia ". 

 They are used for subtropical 

 effects in summer bedding. The 

 annual kinds are easily raised 

 from seeds sown in heat in spring, 



and include the following: cera- v^.->n. -Datura, an^ 



tocaula, 2-3 ft., with ovate lance- 

 shaped leaves and sweet-scented white flowers tinged with purple; chlor- 

 antha 2-3 ft., yellow, the double form with two or three trumpet-shaped 



