Libonia 



Licuala 



When growing under natural conditions the trunks 

 of several species rise perfectlyerect to a height of 

 over 100', and are proportionately thick. Most of 

 the species produce very good timber, which is 

 largely used for spars, building material, and 

 various other purposes. From the fragrant odour 

 emitted by the wood the popular name of "Incense 

 Cedar " has arisen. 



Propagation. This is best effected by means of 

 seeds sown as soon as possible after they are 

 thoroughly ripe, in sandy soil indoors, removing 

 the seed pans to a cool, airy frame as soon as 

 germination takes 



place. Cuttings in- 



serted in sandy 

 soil 'and placed in 

 a close case in July 

 or August will also 

 root. 



Soil. A cool, 

 rich, fairly light 

 soil, retentive of 

 moisture, is to be 

 commended. 



Other Cultural 

 Points. Keep the 

 plants shapely and 

 free from dead 

 wood, and the sur- 

 rounding ground 

 free from grass and 

 weeds. 



Principal Species 

 and Varieties : 



chilensis, 80', elegant 



habit, hdy. in 



many places (si/n. 



Thuya chileusis) . 

 decurrens, 100' to 



150', hdy., Ivs. 



grn. , fastigiate 



habit (see figure). 



aureo - variegata, 

 Ivs. golden. 



compacta glauc/i . 

 doniana, 70', hlf- 



hdy., Ivs. grn., 

 spreading head. 

 Other Species : 



Bidwillii, Ivs. nar- 

 rower than doni- 

 ana, grh. 



macrolepis (//. 



Thuya tetragona). Photo : Cassell it Company, Ltd. 



tetragoua, 80'. 



LlHOCEDUUS 



LIBONIA. 



A genus of greenhouse or stove shrubs (prd. 

 Acanthaceae) which the Genera Plantaritm refers 

 to Jacobinia ; while other authorities retain the 

 generic title for the two plants named below. The 

 plants are handsome when in flower, and may be 

 used for conservatory decoration ; when making 

 growth a warmer temperature is essential. Propa- 

 gated by cuttings in March under a bell-glass. 

 Keep the plants sturdy by growing them close to 

 the glass, or much bnant.y is lost. Soil, two parts 

 fibrous loam, one part leaf mould, with decayed 

 manure and sand. 



Only Species and Hybrid : - 



floribuuda, 2', win., yeL penrhosionsis. _'.' 

 crim.; hybrid. 



LICHENS. 



Among the lowliest plants are the Lichens ; most, 

 ubiquitous, most familiar, yet least known, and at 

 the same time most wonderful. The dry greyish 

 green matter that seems to form, rather than grow, 

 upon the stone parapet of a bridge or an old Oak 

 fence ; the dead-looking, scabby film that encrusts 

 the broken rock high up the mountain; the scant 

 vegetation that beneath the Arctic snows provides 

 food for the Greenlander's reindeer ; and the pretty 

 tasselling that hangs all too freely, from the 

 boughs in many a damp orchard and Larch wood, 



are alike members 



. of the great Lichen 



family. Physiolog- 

 ically, the Lichens 

 are remarkable for 

 the wonderful ex- 

 ample of symbiosis 

 they present a 

 dual alliance be- 

 tween fungi and 

 alga?. In this extra- 

 ordinary partner- 

 ship the fungal 

 hypha: envelop and 

 protect the algal 

 - cells, which manu- 

 facture the food 

 for both. Propaga- 

 tion is by spores 

 from the fungoid 

 portion, and by 

 division of the algal 

 cells/ Both can live 

 apart, but when 

 together form the 

 Lichen. Lichens 

 haveeome economic 

 value, as in the case 

 of Reindeer Moss, 

 and Litmus, . the 

 latter being a pig- 

 ment obtained from 

 Koccella tinctoria. 

 In many parts of 

 this country Li- 

 chens are injurious, 

 as they form freely 

 upon the trunks and 

 branches of orchard 

 trees, and im- 

 pede growth. The 

 remedy is found in 

 a winter dressing 

 of caustic soda and 

 commercial potash, 



coupled with a more liberal system of culture. 

 The dressing is made by dissolving J Ib. of Green- 

 bank's 98 per cent, caustic soda, and -J Ib. of 

 commercial potash, carefully in separate vessels, 

 subsequently combining the two and adding 

 water to make 5 gallons. Apply in the form of 

 spray, using thick gloves to protect the hands, 

 and a long brass branch to prevent any spray 

 from falling on to and injuring the worker's face. 

 Spraying with strong Bordeaux Mixture, and 

 dusting the branches, when damp, with lime, are 

 further remedies. 



LICUALA. 



A genus of handsome and rather dwarf Palms (prd. 

 Palnui'), almost all natives of the East Indies. A 



DECrilHEXS. 



