Melia - Melianthus Meum. 155 



the development of the ornamental qualities of the Melia. 

 In winter it requires the shelter of a greenhouse with us. 

 Multiplied by seed or layers. 



*Melianthus major. This is usually treated as a 

 greenhouse plant, and is sometimes put out of doors 

 in summer. So grown, however, the full beauty of the 

 plant has not time to develope ; and much the better way 

 is to treat it as a half-hardy subject, putting it out in some 

 sunny and sheltered spot, where the roots will not suffer 

 from wet in winter. The shoots will be cut down by 

 frost, but the root will live and push up strong stems in 

 spring, forming by midsummer a bush about 3 ft. high, 

 very distinct and beautiful, with large, pinnate, light sea- 

 green leaves, which will not suffer from rain storms. 

 I have grown it in this way to a much more present- 

 able condition than it ever assumes indoors, where it 

 is usually drawn too much. I used to protect the roots 

 in winter by placing leaves over them, and then covering 

 all with a handlight, but have seen the plant survive 

 without this precaution. It is, however, best to make 

 quite sure by using protection, except where the soil and 

 climate are particularly favourable. Melianthus minor 

 has the habit of M. major ^ but is smaller in every respect 

 and flowers later. Its inflorescence also is different, the 

 flowers being of a yellowish red, and growing in short 

 clusters. Cape of Good Hope. 



*Meum athamanticum.-^One of the most elegant 

 and gracefully-cut plants in an order second to no other 

 for these qualities. The leaves are divided so finely as 

 to appear as if they were made of vegetable hair, and the 

 plant is dwarf and neat in habit, from 6 inches to i foot 



