STOVE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 47 



ber, and the plants kept in a sunny greenhouse with a minimum tem- 

 perature of 45 degrees, will give an amazing supply of bloom all Winter. 

 This plant is desirable only for private colllections. 



MAHERNIA QLABRATA A dense-growing, dwarf evergreen shrub, 

 with small yellow flowers produced in Winter. The flowers have 

 an odor much resembling that of the violet. The cuttings should be 

 made large, at least 6 inches in length. They should be taken before 

 growth begins. The roots are sparingly produced. Put the rooted cut- 

 tings at the sides of the pots, so that they will take easily with the soil. 



MALVAVISCUS MOLLIS and M. ARBOREUS are greenhouse plants 

 which in Winter take up too much room as specimens, and should not 

 be grown for that purpose, as the flowers are not freely produced. For 

 outdoor planting they are good subjects, making a large mass of foliage 

 dotted here and there with bright red flowers. The new M. lanceolatus 

 from Mexico is the best for Winter flowering. The leaves are different 

 in shape from those of the two first-named species, and it blooms more 

 freely. Cuttings of all three root with the treatment given Coleus. 



MARANTA Of this genus M. smaragdina and M. Porteana are the 

 best. When well grown they are among the most ornamental foliaged 

 plants in cultivation. For culture see Calathea. 



flEDINILLA This magnificent flowering plant must have a high tem- 

 perature, and should be in every collection of stove plants. The flowers 

 are arranged in large, drooping racemes. Cuttings root well when 

 placed in a pot of loose moss, in a warm frame, or on a well-shaded 

 bench of a warm house. M. magnifica is the species most commonly 

 seen. 



flETROSIDEROS ROBUSTA and H. SEMPERFLORENS are flowered 

 from imported plants. The treatment given for Acacias will suit them. 



MONSTERA DELICIOSA There are several excellent house plants 

 whicli are very little known, on account of the difficulty experienced in 

 propagating them in sufficient quantities. Among the best of this class 

 is the Monstera, a subject almost unique in the vegetable kingdom, 

 owing to the broad leaves having perforations all over their surfaces. 

 It needs little pot room, but plenty of water; in fact, the pot may be 

 placed in a saucer of water. It will continue to throw up leaf after leaf 

 in a dwelling house just as well as if in a conservatory, the bright emer- 

 ald green of the young leaves contrasting well with the deeper color of 

 the older ones. The easiest method of propagation is to cut up the old 

 stems to single eyes, and place in sand, in a warm house, where the cut- 

 tings sprout in a few weeks. 



MUSA COCCINEA is sometimes grown for its brilliant red bracts. It 

 is a dwarf species and needs stove temperature. For other species see 

 Bedding Plants. 



HUSS/ENDA FRONDOSA and 1*1. LUTEOLA are handsome warm green- 

 house plants, cultivated for their colored bract-like growths. 



