Aucuba 



the "speckling" characteristic of the plant is practically 

 absent. It is only as they grow and darken in patches 

 that the variegation becomes apparent. The question 

 why the Aucuba leaf is variegated is on all fours with 

 the question why the leopard has spots, and is an 

 equally difficult one to answer. One suggestion is 

 that the plant does not absorb enough iron to 

 enable the chlorophyll the green colouring matter to 

 form in sufficient quantities to colour the whole leaf 

 tissue. One remarkable power that the leaves possess 

 must be chronicled. Any part of a leaf planted in 

 moist sand can throw off rootlets below and give rise 

 to a new baby plant which rises from the surface 

 of the old leaf. For a time the leaf remains green, 

 carrying its offspring, but finally it yellows and dies 

 its part is played. 



In another form of the plant the foliage is wholly 

 a rich dark green showing no " variegated " character, 

 and this is really the more dignified and handsomer 

 form, and the one, too, on which the scarlet berries 

 show to the greatest advantage. 



The Aucuba belongs to the family of the Cornacece, 

 and the dog-wood is its nearest British relative. 



Soil and Cultivation. The Aucuba will do well in 



ff3 

 almost any soil; its roots are strong and powerful and 



can readily obtain nourishment for themselves. It is 



one of the best shrubs we know to thrive under the 



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