67 



Bedding Plants. 



ACALYPHAS There are about eight species and varieties of Acalypha 

 grown as bedding plants. With the exception of A. hispida (Sanderi) 

 they are ornamental foliage plants, having bronze-colored leaves of 

 varying shades. A Godseffiana and A. Hamiltoniana are marked with 

 creamy white margins. A. Wilkesiana has several variations, the best 

 known of which are A. Macafeeana and A. musaica. A. hispida has very 

 ornamental pendant spikes of red flowers, produced in the axils of the 

 leaves. Cuttings may be taken in the Fall before the cold weather in- 

 jures the plants, but to save space the old plants should be lifted, cut 

 back, and boxed or potted, starting them into growth in early Spring, 

 when they push out from every bud giving abundant material for 

 propagating. 



AQERATUM MEXICANUM This is one of the most tender bedding 

 plants, although it does not require much heat during the Winter. Lift 

 old plants and keep in a greenhouse; they will give an abundance of 

 growths for cuttings during the months of February and March. 



ALTERNANTHERA The dwarf and slow-growing Alternantheras, 

 such as A. brilliantissima and A. paronychioides are unsatisfactory from 

 cuttings, unless taken in late Summer and kept growing. When taken 

 later they are apt to continue in a weak condition all through the Win- 

 ter. But in either case they take up too much room in the greenhouse 

 for nearly eight months. A much better method is to lift the old plants 

 before the frost blackens them, cut over to within three or four inches 

 from the roots; put the cut-over plants as thickly as they will go in 

 boxes; give water once and place under the benches of a warm house, 

 where they will get some light. About the beginning of March bring 

 the boxes up to the light, sprinkle about an inch of sand among the 

 plants, and give water. Two weeks later divide the plants and pot 

 them, when it will be found the pieces are much superior to plants from 

 cuttings and make a better and quicker display in their Summer 

 quarters. 



ALYSSUM MARITIMUM f Kceniga) The plant known as Sweet Alye- 

 suin is one of the last to succumb to cold weather. In this locality It 

 is frequently in bloom up to th* middle of December. It is used for win- 

 dow boxes, vases and baskets. A few plants may be lifted, cut back 

 and planted in the front part- of a rose or carnation bench, where they 

 will furnish abundant material for cuttings in the Spring. It is also 

 raised from seeds. 



AHARANTHUS will germinate out-of-doors and make fair-sized plants, 

 but to have them at their best the seed should be sown in the beginning 

 of March, in a warm house, and near the glass, as the seedlings get very 

 weak unless given all the light possible. As soon as large enough they 

 are pricked off into boxes, and, when they reach the proper pize, potted 

 singly into 3-inch pots planting them out from this size. Their value 



