Gardening for Amateurs 



divided fernlike leaves, It is very effective 

 both in the greenhouse and also out of doors 

 during the summer. The Grevillea is in- 



The India-rubber Plant 

 (Ficus elastica). 



creased by seeds, which are sometimes im- 

 ported in quantity. They should be sown 

 as soon as possible on receipt, as they do 

 not retain their vitality long. Care must be 

 taken not to give young plants too large a 

 pot. Loam (turfy soil) with a little leaf- 

 soil and sand is the correct potting mixture. 



Isolepis gracilis. A little, grass -like 

 plant with dark green leaves which droop 

 around the pot so as almost to hide it. It 

 is invaluable for the edging of stages or for 

 similar purposes, and can be readily increased 

 by division in spring. A liberal supply of 

 water during the growing season is very 

 necessary. It needs soil similar to th'at 

 advised for Grevillea. 



Ophiopogon. There are two very pleas- 

 ing members of this genus, both of which 



form tufts of grass-like leaves, 1 foot or so 

 in length : these are Jaburan variegatum, 

 in which the leaves are striped with yellow, 

 and spicatum variegatum, with white mark- 

 ings. These plants are almost hardy, and 

 easily grown. They are increased by division 

 in spring. As they withstand draughts well, 

 they are extremely useful for many decora- 

 tive purposes. 



Disbudding Roses. Those who grow 

 Roses for exhibition are quite aware of the 

 necessity of disbudding, both as regards the 

 buds and the young shoots. But those who 

 grow solely for garden and home decoration 

 would be well advised to give these matters 

 a little attention. If the bushes are ex- 

 amined in April and May, certain shoots 

 will be seen to be growing towards the 

 centres, threatening to cross each other and 

 become crowded, and otherwise growing 

 in awkward positions. Nothing but good 

 results from the removal of some of the 

 weakest of them, provided due attention is 

 given to maintaining the shape of the plant, 

 for it must be remembered that what are 

 only young shoots in spring will be branches 

 by the end of the year. 



The variegated India-rubber Plant. 



