io6 



THE SCHOOL GARDEN BOOK 



rooms is that of the Araucarias. These are really small, 

 coniferous trees, having the general effect of an out-door 

 evergreen with richly colored, spiny foliage that gives them a 

 decided attractiveness. The species most commonly grown 

 is Araucaria excelsa, which the English gardeners call the 

 Norfolk island pine. The foliage of this is a dark, rich, 



yellow green color, and 

 the manner of growth is 

 very symmetrical. An- 

 other variety, even more 

 attractive, is the Arauca- 

 ria bidwelli, while several 

 other sorts are offered in 

 the catalogues. All of 

 these are rather easy to 

 grow, and the commoner 

 kinds, if purchased when 

 small, are inexpensive. 

 Care should be taken not 

 to transfer them too rap- 

 idly to larger pots, nor to 

 water them too much. 

 No discussion of foli- 



Norfolk Island Pine in a Japanese Jardiniere. a ~ e p] an ts WOUld be at 



all adequate which did not include some mention of the Rex 

 Begonias. These are probably, next to the geraniums, the 

 most universally grown of house plants. They have been 

 developed through many years of culture into an extraordi- 

 nary variety of forms and colorings. Many of them show 

 color combinations of wonderful beauty. Begonias in gen- 

 eral are divided into three great groups, namely, the Tuber- 



