156 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



pot, as this often leads to many of the leaves dropping. Over-watering, 

 too, must be guarded against. There is a form with variegated leaves, but 

 it is not so effective or so robust as the commoner kind. In direct con- 

 trast to the huge leaves of the India-rubber Plant we have the tiny Ficus 

 repens and minima, both of which are valuable for clothing a dark, damp 

 wall in the greenhouse, as they will attach themselves to it in the way 

 of Ivy, and render it green and attractive at all seasons. 



Francoa. There are two kinds of Francoa, both of which are 

 pretty greenhouse plants. In Francoa appendiculata the long slender 

 spikes are clothed with pinkish-red blossoms, and in F. ramosa they are 

 white. Both are of easy culture, and readily increased by seed sown in 

 the spring. 



Fuchsia. The Fuchsia is a well-known greenhouse plant, and is 

 useful for outdoor culture during the summer. Cuttings of the young 

 shoots strike root readily in the spring, and the plants so obtained may 

 be grown in various ways. If their tops are pinched out two or three 

 times when the plants are young they form neat bushes, next, allowed 

 to grow at will with the leading shoot tied to a stake, they assume natur- 

 ally more or less of a pyramid habit, while standards, which are admired 

 by many, are formed by tying the plant upright, and removing all the 

 side shoots until the required height is attained, when the upper portion 

 of the plant which is to form the head may be allowed to branch out. 

 Any attempt to form shoots on the lower part of the stem must be sup- 

 pressed. Some of the more vigorous Fuchsias form a delightful feature 

 when trained to the roof of a greenhouse, their pendulous, gracefully 

 disposed blossoms being seen to great advantage under such conditions. 

 Ordinary potting compost with a little liquid manure as the pots get full 

 of roots is very suitable for the Fuchsia. 



Gloxinia. Given the same treatment as the Achimenes the 

 Gloxinias will flower freely during the latter half of the summer, but to 

 induce the plants to bloom earlier than that they need more heat. They 

 are increased by seed sown in the spring, but as they require a warm 

 structure during the early stages the better way for the beginner will be 

 to obtain a few dormant tubers during the winter or early spring before 

 they start into growth. Mixed seedlings (not named varieties) can be 

 obtained cheaply. 



Heath. See Erica. 



Heliotrope. This is known as Cherry Pie, from its fragrant 

 blossoms. It is a very popular plant, as easily grown as a Fuchsia, and 

 valuable for bedding out, or for growing as neat little bushes in the 

 greenhouse, whilst a wall in that structure may be clothed with it. 

 Few plants are more popular for that purpose. 



Hibbertia. The best of the Hibbertias is H. dentata, with pretty 

 bronzy foliage, and bright golden blossoms a couple of inches across, 

 borne during the first three months of the year. It is a valuable 

 climber. 



Hydrangea. Though hardy in favoured districts the common 

 Hydrangea, with its huge heads of pink blossoms, is a good greenhouse 

 plant. By giving an occasional supply of a weak solution of alum water, 



