336 GARDEN PLANTS. PART II. 



Brazils and Amazons, of recent introduction into Europe ; 

 eminently beautiful for the remarkable manner in which their 

 spacious arrow-headed rich green leaves are spotted and blotched 

 with white or white and red. They seem all to thrive exceed- 

 ingly well in this country, and some few of them may be 

 looked upon now as all but indispensable ornaments of the 

 verandah. They are best kept entirely in the shade, and under 

 shelter. When in vigorous growth they require abundance of 

 water, and are benefited, it is said, by a liberal supply of liquid 

 manure. Upon the leaves beginning to fade at the end of the 

 Rains water should be withholden, and they should be put 

 away in their pots, just as they are, in some dry place. About 

 the middle of March, when they begin to start again, they 

 should be turned out of their pots, and repotted in fresh soil 

 with the crown of the bulb above the soil. 



The young offshoots they may have made should be cut off, 

 and potted in pure sand till they have made roots, and then be 

 repotted. They require a light, not over-rich soil. If a thin 

 layer of charcoal powdered is laid on the soil in the pot, the 

 glowing colours of the leaves are said to be considerably 

 heightened. 



In Vol. I., new series, of the ' Agri-Horticultural Journal ' a 

 description is given by Mr. S. Jennings of as many as thirty-five 

 of these plants, nearly all distinct species ; and in the English 

 plant-lists are set down full as many more, hybrids or varieties. 

 The whole of these are or may be in India. I have not space 

 to describe them, nor even to give their names, nor would 

 it be worth while if I had. I just describe some five well- 

 known and handsome kinds, to give a notion of the general 

 character of all. Several now pass under the name of Dieffen- 

 bachia. 



1. C. amabile. Leaves bright green with irregular blotches of 

 white ; nervures greenish white. 



2. C. argyrites. Leaves of a cheerful flat green, covered with 

 large irregular blotches of dead silver white, with numerous 

 spots of the same on their borders. A small plant, and, in my 

 opinion, about the most beautiful of all. It is rather delicate, 

 and apt to perish during its period of rest. 



3. C. Belleymei. Leaves wavy at the border; bright green, 

 bespattered with irregular white spots and daubs of red. 



