PLANTS USED FOR FOLIAGE. 211 



things flower so freely, and the scarlet coloring is unex- 

 celled in brilliancy by anything else grown in winter for 

 cut flowers. 



CHAPTER XL. 



PLANTS USED FOR FOLIAGE-SMILAX, ASPARAGUS, 

 FERNS, ETC. 



In the formation of cut flowers into bouquets, etc., the 

 leaves form an indispensable part. In trimming the 

 edges of baskets, Camellia leaves are yet much used, 

 also Cissus discolor, a climbing hot-house plant, with 

 brownish-crimson leaves splashed with white ; it requires 

 a temperature of at least sixty degrees in winter, and 

 never develops its rich coloring unless at a bigh temper- 

 ature. Myrsiphyllum asparagoides (Smilax) is yet un- 

 surpassed for all kinds of floral decorations, whether for 

 the person, or in adding grace to floral ornaments for the 

 table or room. Its leaves, or what passes for leaves, are 

 small and glossy, are attached to very delicate wavy 

 stems, and have the quality of retaining their firmness 

 for a long time without wilting. The plant is raised from 

 the seed, or the roots may be purchased from dealers. 

 The root consists of a cluster of fleshy tubers that throw 

 out several slender stems, which, if furnished with sup- 

 ports, will climb to the height of twenty feet. In the 

 vicinity of all our large cities greenhouses are devoted ex- 

 clusively to the cultivation of Smilax the roots being 

 planted iu boxes, or in beds upon the ground, and the 

 stems trained by strings up to the rafters. The plants 

 are usually set at four inches apart each way, and the 

 stem quickly attaches itself to the strings, which should 

 be at least eight or ten feet long. The best plants of 



