246 



this secreted matter is subsequently discharged by the roots into 

 the soil, thus rendering the soil unfit for the cultivation of the 

 same species, although plants of other species may be raised in 

 the contaminated soil without much apparent injury. 



It is very remarkable in plants which ripen their seed and 

 throw out suckers or shoots, that these suckers strike out to a 

 considerable distance from the parent plant, as if endeavouring 

 to avoid the soil contaminated by the excrementitious discharge 

 from the roots of the parent tree. 



It is, therefore, evident that periodically a change of soil is 

 essential, and that plants in pots must be transplanted annually, 

 and where this change cannot be effected, the soil around the 

 plant must be very carefully removed without injuring the roots, 

 and new soil substituted for that which has been already remov- 

 ed ; this operation of transplanting or changing of the soil must 

 invariably be performed shortly before the rains commence. 



It must be borne in mind that the operation of transplanta- 

 tion will, more or less, effect the foliage or flowers put forth im- 

 mediately after, or which were in course of being perfected 

 when the transplantation took place, the result depending very 

 much on the care bestowed in the carrying out of the operation ; 

 when carelessly done, not only is there the risk of the subse- 

 quent foliage or flowers being diminished in size, or distorted, 

 but it may result in the loss of the whole of the foliage, or 

 flowers, or in the total loss of the plant itself, therefore plants 

 intended for exhibition or show-purposes should not be inter- 

 fered with ; even if by accident the earthen pots containing 

 them are fractured, they should be retained as they are, and the 

 change into the new pot effected on the evening preceding the 

 morning of the show, so that the foliage or bloom of the plant 

 may be in perfection for the occasion. 



ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CROTONS* 



WITH A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF A FEW OF THEM. 



G. Alexandra is a tender but rare broad-leafed variety ; leaves 

 being twelve to sixteen inches in length by five inches in 

 breadth, of a dark green colour, irregularly spotted and streaked 



