Stove and Greenhouse Plants and Flowers 207 



plants are highly appreciated, not only because they are cheap and easily 

 grown, but on account of their gracefully divided leaves, superb bushy 

 habit, and erect pyramidal trusses of pure-white blossoms which stand 

 \vi'll above the brilliant glossy-green foliage. Besides 8. japonica another 

 plant, called S. astilboides, and its variety floribunda are extensively grown. 

 Of late years new varieties, called " Peach Blossom " and " Queen Alex- 

 andra ", with soft-pink or rose-tinted flowers, have made their appearance. 

 They are charming plants, but they will probably never dislodge the white 

 varieties from public favour. 



When the roots are imported from Holland and France, about Sep- 

 tember, they are chopped up and made to fit into 5-in. or 6-in. pots. Any 

 old soil available is worked in around the roots, and in most cases no 

 attention whatever is given to drainage. Very little soil indeed is used, 

 as the roots practically fill the pots themselves. The plants are then 

 placed in beds of ashes outside a greenhouse, or sunk in soil in any con- 

 venient place, the tops being a few inches beneath the surface. Plants 

 may be had in bloom at Christmas-time, and right on during the season 

 till Whitsuntide, after which the prices usually go down with a rush, 

 and the plants are snapped up for the costermonger trade. Early plants 

 require a temperature of 75 to 80 F., a very humid atmosphere, and 

 abundance of moisture at the root. After Christmas less fire heat will 

 suffice, but the plants will always require plenty of moisture, and as 

 the spring advances watering becomes one of the most strenuous occupa- 

 tions. The plants grow with such extraordinary freedom that they 

 require to be spaced out frequently to allow for proper development. It 

 is by no means unusual to see a plant in a 5-in. pot occupying a space 

 2 ft. square, and yet sometimes such lovely specimens will only realize 

 3s. per dozen in market, and even less. At one time thirty years ago 

 Spiraea japonica fetched as much as 42s. per dozen when brought in 

 early in the season, but the modern grower must be content with from 

 6s. to 12s. per dozen for good stuff. 



In these days, however, the grower is helped considerably by the 

 retarding process. The roots of Spircea japonica may be stored in a 

 refrigerator for several months, and there may remain without harm 

 when there is a glut in the market. When taken out, the plants can 

 be had in bloom in from five to eight weeks' time, according to the 

 season and the heat supplied. 



Stephanotis floribunda. A strong-growing woody climber from Mada- 

 gascar, having thickish elliptic leaves, and masses of highly fragrant waxy- 

 white tubular flowers. Almost every grower of flowers for market or florist 

 work at one time grew Stephanotis, and notwithstanding the severe com- 

 petition from other beautiful white flowers of recent years, the blooms 

 of Stephanotis still find a market. The plants are easily grown in a 

 compost of loam and peat, and may be increased by layers or by cuttings 

 of the half -ripened shoots. A stove temperature suits the plants best 

 when growing freely, and abundance of water must -be given at the root, 



