356 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



To have the most healthy growth, the ventilators should 

 be opened gradually during the morning, and closed in 

 the same way in the afternoon. Care should be taken 

 not to over-feed the plants during the dark, cloudy weather 

 in November and December. If given too much manure 

 water at this season, they may drop their buds. If the 

 growth appears weak, an occasional light watering may be 

 beneficial. 



ARDISIAS 



548. Botanical classification. Order, Myrsinacese ; 

 genus, Ardisia (pointed, referring to the stamens or corolla 

 lobes) ; species : crenulata, red-berried ; japonwa } white- 

 berried (Fig. 41). 



549. Botanical characters. Ardisias are shrub-like 

 plants with thick evergreen leaves, white or pink, rather 

 inconspicuous flowers and showy red or white fruits. 



Habitat. East India, China and Japan. 



550. Commercial importance. Ardisias are exten- 

 sively grown for the Christmas trade. The red-berried 

 species is more popular than the white-berried. The rich 

 red berries, contrasted with the dark, glossy green foliage, 

 make them especially attractive. 



551. Propagation. Ardisias are usually grown from 

 seed which should be sown early in the spring, if glossy 

 foliage and well-colored berries are desired for the Christ- 

 mas trade. Ardisias may be propagated by cuttings of 

 half ripened wood, taken in the early spring. They root 

 with difficulty, however, and propagation by seeds is the 

 most satisfactory method. 



552. Culture. They grow well in almost any potting 

 soil, but should never -be allowed to become pot-bound or 

 dry, for this causes the plants to lose their lower leaves 



