JULY. 



333 



stove. Perhaps, if seeds could be obtained, it might be suc- 

 cessfully cultivated in Florida or Texas, and its " white pith" 

 find a market here for the manufacture of rice paper, now 

 imported from China. The attempt would be well worth 

 trying. (Bot. Mag., Feb.) 



318. Aphela^ndra variega^ta Morel. Variegated Aph- 

 ELANDRA. ( AcauthaceaB. ) Brazil. 



A stove plant; growing one to two feet high; with orange-colored flowers; appe.iring in win- 

 tO"; increased by cuttings; grown in light peaty soil. Bot. Mag., 1856, pi. 4899. 



Another of the showy Aphelandras, producing large elon- 

 gated spikes, resembling a narrow pine cone, but are of the 

 richest orange red, from the scales of which proceed the 

 bright yellow flowers. It bears a resemblance to the well 

 known aurantiaca, and requires nearly the same treatment, 

 viz., a light leafy soil, and the warm, close temperature of 

 the stove. (Bot. Mag., Feb.) 



Model House for Growing Roses. — Some years ago a wooden glazed 

 span-roofed house, upon a plan furnished by an experienced cultivator, was 

 erected at ChisMjick, for the purpose of growing Tea roses and similar ten- 

 der varieties in the open border. A raised bed some eight feet wide was 

 constructed in the middle, and all round the sides were other raised beds, 

 narrower but otherwise similar. All these beds were made to throw water 

 off easily, that in the middle by being highest in the middle, those at the 

 sides being highest at the sides. Wooden flaps in the wooden sides and a 

 door at one of the wooden ends furnished lateral ventilation ; sliding sashes 

 admitted light and air by the roof. The borders were prepared with good 

 mould, and planted with the best varieties supplied by some of the most 

 celebrated rose growers of England. 



But somehow or other the roses made a bad hand of growing ; their 

 leaves curled, mildew seized them, and green-fly, and other pests; sulphur 

 was powerless, tobacco-smoke little better. Flowers came in small quantity, 

 opened ill, or would not open at all. In vain was the house watered, and 

 ventilated, and shut close up according to the most approved practice ; the 

 bushes were but ragged briars, and that which was expected to prove a 

 verdant, fragrant, luxuriant Elysium was only a shabby, dried-up, half 



