Andropogon. 57 



changing to a dark violet-red mixed with green. Another - 

 variety (ruber) has a more squat and ramified habit, and 

 leaves of a deep rose-colour thickly clothing the stems. 

 Other varieties recommended are ehgantissimus (with 

 scarlet leaves), Gordoni^ melancholicus ruber, and versicolor, 

 all having some claims as bedding plants. The foliage 

 of these varieties is exceedingly ornamental, and rivals 

 the finest flowers in the richness of its hues. Planted 

 along with large-leaved subjects, such as the Cannas, 

 Wigandias, Ricinus, Solanums, etc., the effect is very fine. 

 They may also be advantageously employed in borders 

 and flower-beds of all sizes, and for fringing the edges of 

 shrubberies. The varieties of A. tricolor are a little more 

 tender than the other kinds, and a light soil and a warmer 

 position are necessary for them. They do well in gar- 

 dens by the seaside. They should be sown in April in a 

 hotbed, pricked out in a hotbed, and finally planted 

 permanently about the end of May. A. t. giganteus is 

 described as very fine in recent catalogues of the nursery- 

 men. To these may be added a beautiful new kind, A. 

 salici/olius, in the possession of the Messrs. Veitch, but 

 not yet sent out. It has highly coloured and very long, 

 narrow, and arching leaves, and is a singularly graceful 

 and brilliant object. E. Indies. 



^Andropogon squarrosus is a hardy East Indian 

 grass, which survives the winter with but slight protection, 

 making luxuriant tufts seven feet high, or more, when in 

 flower. It would probably make a beautiful object in the 

 warmer and milder parts of England and Ireland in 

 good soil, but it is not a subject which can with confi- 

 dence be recommended for every garden. However, all 



