252 



MY GARDEN. 



The Daphne indica (fig. 508) is a long time in flower, and the 

 perfume of the blossom is exquisite. My plants are apt to die 

 suddenly, without any apparent cause. 



FIG. 509. Franciscea latifolia. 

 FIG. 508. Daphne indica. 



The Franciscea latifolia (fig. 59) * s a plant not much grown, 

 although inferior species of the same genus, without scent, are com- 

 monly exhibited at the flower-shows. Although a reputed stove 

 plant, it will grow in the greenhouse, and may be placed out of 

 doors in spring, when it flowers most abundantly, and is very fragrant. 

 F. Hopeana is a free bloomer, but has a smaller flower and requires 

 more heat than the preceding. 



We have had many economic plants at one time or the other, such 

 as the Tea, Coffee, Sugar-cane, Patula, Rice, and other species; but I 

 have only one or two now. Wherever I go round London there is one 

 constant complaint, that the gardeners set their faces against these 

 interesting productions, and contrive that they either get too much or 

 too little water, or too much or too little heat 

 At the present time I know no one who has a 

 really fine collection, and probably no such collec- 

 tion will exist until the Horticultural and Botanic 

 Societies change their system of prizes, and pay 

 less attention to the production of gaudy florists' 

 flowers. 



The Lasiandra (fig. 510) is a magnificent 

 genus for conservatory decoration. Mine has 

 a deep blue flower, but is rather straggling in its growth. ' 



