CROTONS. 



CONTRIBUTED BY AN AMATEUR. 



No one who has attended the Annual Flower-Shows of the 

 Agri-Horticultural Society for the past few years can have 

 omitted noticing the immense piles of Crotons and other foliage 

 plants exhibited year after year, the grand effect produced by 

 the huge piles of Crotons alone testifying (if any proof were 

 wanted) the increased interest taken by Amateurs in the culti- 

 vation of ornamental foliage plants ; therefore, in issuing this 

 new edition, a few hints on their cultivation have been added. 



Crotons deservedly occupy the leading position among orna- 

 mental foliage plants not only because the Indian climate, 

 especially that of Southern India, is peculiarly adapted for their 

 successful propagation, growth, and development, but also 

 because in this group of plants is to be found not only the 

 grandest, but also the most fantastic and grotesque foliage, 

 which, in the generality of cases, is extravagantly variegated, 

 and thus rendered unexceptionably beautiful. 



There are, at the present time, in the trade, upwards of two 

 hundred distinct varieties, from which the most fastidious taste 

 may be easily satisfied, besides these, are the endless variety of 

 nameless seedlings raised by Amateurs and Horticultural So- 

 cieties, and to these additions are being continually made by 

 new introductions from Australia, New Guinea, the South Sea 

 Islands, and the New Hebrides besides Hybrids raised by 

 Horticulturists. (Hybrids are plants raised by the mixture, or 

 crossing of two different species, with the object of producing a 

 new species ; or a new plant with the qualities of two plants 

 combined in one). With such attractions as these, there is no 

 doubt that for many years to come, Crotons will continue to be 

 regarded as the most desirable foliage plants suitable for decora- 

 tive, and exhibition purposes. 



