Shrubs. 43 



winter. Crotons must never be allowed to remain 

 dry at the roots, or they will lose their leaves, and 

 tall leggy plants will be the result. When this occurs 

 the tops should be taken off in the autumn and 

 struck in pure sand, the leaves being tied up to 

 prevent them from flagging, and the cuttings 

 planted singly in small pots, and put into a 

 close glass frame or under bell-glasses, until they 

 have rooted, the moisture being wiped off the 

 inside of the glass every morning, and air admitted by 

 slightly raising the glass as the cuttings begin to root. 



The old stumps may then be cut down to within 

 a foot from the pot; plunge in a half shady position, 

 and if not watered too often, they will make nice 

 bushy plants in the following spring. 



Crotons cultivated in this country, if subjected to 

 the strong damp heat of a hot house, as in Europe, 

 quickly lose their lower leaves, while cold treat- 

 ment, will be found to produce dwarf bushy plants 

 and well-marked foliage. 



The following are a few varieties worth growing : 

 C. Andreanus, Elegantissimus, Chantrierii, Interruptus 

 aureus, Lady Zetland, Langii, Mutabilis, Pictus, Queen 

 Victoria, Sunbeam, Williamsii, Superba. 



Datura alba. A handsome, well-known plant with 

 large white pendant flowers, and rough hairy leaves. 

 It can be grown either as a standard or a bush. 

 The flowers, which are borne in great profusion, have 

 a strong scent, and are said to produce sleep by 

 their , narcotic properties. The plant should be well 

 supplied with manure-water when the buds appear, 

 and pruned back in the autumn. 



D. suaveplens is also grown as a garden shrub, 

 while D. Stramonium, D. Met el, and D. fastuosa 

 grow wild in the country. 



Dracaena ferrea. A very ornamental variety, usually 

 growing 1 in clumps to the height of 3ft. to 5ft. It 

 grows freely in rich sandy soil, in the open ground, 

 but it should be planted in a position where its 



