250 THE CALADIUM. 



fore, as soon as flower-buds appear, they should be picked 

 ojff. The phints should always be sheltered from the direct 

 rays of the sun. 



The foot-stalks of some of these plants are sometimes 

 three feet long ; and the leaves nearly a foot long, and 

 eight inches wide. When the plants show a disposition to 

 dry off, reduce the supply of water, and, if all the leaves 

 die, for a time discontinue watering altogether, and let the 

 plant dry off ; but never keep it during rest in a temperature 

 lower than 60° to 65° : the tubers should never become 

 quite dry. If the leaves should not all die away, it is best 

 to give a little water occasionally, and keep up a weak 

 growth for a while ; and, after the season of rest, the plant 

 will throw up stronger foliage. If the temperature is too 

 low, and the soil wet, the tubers become of a pasty, soapy 

 consistency, and perish. All the species are easily propa- 

 gated by dividing the roots just as growth begins. The 

 following are fine varieties : — 



C. Surinamense. — Dark-green leaves, spotted with white. 



C. marmoratum. — Dark green, marbled with cloudy 

 white ; grows all the year, and a small plant soon makes a 

 specimen. 



