PLANTS. 



"As for the leaves, that in the garden bloom, 

 My love for them is great, as is the good 

 Dealt by the Eternal Hand thai tends them all." 



PANTK, Paradise. 



There are many varieties ot Croton which are exceedingly beautiful ; 

 of these the C. variegatum angustifoliuin (fig. 540) is most desirable, 

 for the grace of its long narrow leaves, which are pendant. Small 

 croton plants are very beautiful on the dinner- table. 



FIG. 540. Croton angusjtifolium.. 



'Fro. 54J. AJoeasia metallic. 



The Alocasia metallica (fig. 541) is another extraordinary plant from 

 Borneo, which requires a stove temperature, and yields most splendid- 

 looking leaves. It, however, occupies too much space in the limited .stove- 

 house which I possess. Amongst economic Stove plants I have had 

 the sugar-cane, the pepper, and the coffee plant, all to my mind highly 

 interesting, though they never get as much attention as other plants. 



Amongst the stove bulbs the Gloxinias (fig. 542) are easily grown 

 and present great varieties. They may be readily 

 propagated by leaves which, when pegged upon 

 the earth, form numerous little bulbs. Varieties 

 can also be raised from seed. We propagate 

 both kinds in the Cucumber-house, the one 

 with upright flowers, the other with drooping 

 blossoms. 



The Pancratiums arc also charming hot-house F-. 5 4*. 

 bulbs. I have the P. zcylanicinn (fig. 543), which grows well in my 



