January 7, 1891.] 



Garden and Forest. 



refrain from saying a word in favor of L. Hansoni, a beautiful 

 Japan species, named after an enthusiastic American culti- 

 vator of Lilies with whom this species first flowered. Descrip- 

 tions of the flower of this Lily differ as to color ; we, however, 

 have always found it to be of a bright yellow, with dull purple 

 spots. Its petals are remarkably thick in texture, which makes 

 the flowers very lasting. This Lily also is perfectly hardy and 

 of easy cultivation, and when grown well often attains a height 

 of four to five feet, the leaves being disposed in dense whorls 

 the whole length of the stem. This also is a distinct Lily, flow- 

 ering in June, lasting long in bloom, and a plant with which we 

 have never had any difficulty in cultivating. On the contrary, 

 the bulbs increase rapidly when established. 



South Lancaster, Mass. £■■ O. Orpet. 



Dracaena Lindeni. 



THIS is one of the most useful foliage plants that has been 

 introduced during recent years. It lasts a considerable 

 time in rooms without injury, and will bear the temperature 

 and conditions of the conservatory from April until October, 

 or longer if the temperature of that structure does not fall 



The temperature appears to be the main factor of importance, 

 whether the foliage colors or not. Even if heavily shaded in 

 a moderately low temperature it colors well. We have this 

 season discovered that it is at home even in a late vinery 

 where the foliage was moderately thin and the air admitted 

 liberally. To develop fine specimens they should never have 

 insufficient root room from the time heads or cuttings are 

 rooted. Pot them from time to time, until they are placed 

 into ten-inch pots, if large, well developed plants are needed. 

 This size is none too large, although the plant can effectively 

 be used for decoration in any size down to two-inch pots. We 

 have found it succeed admirably when potted firmly in a 

 compost of fibry loam, sand and one-seventh of decayed 

 manure. 



It has been said that this Dracsena cannot be propagated 

 rapidly enough for general purposes of decoration, and this 

 is true if one system, and a general one, only is practiced. 

 After taking off the head, which sometimes flowers after the 

 plants have been root-bound and checked to wait for side 

 shoots, which are produced one by one at intervals of time, is 

 too slow. A quicker way is to cut up the stem into lengths of 



Fig. 2. — The White Oak {Quercus alba) in Summer. — See page 2. 



below fifty degrees. Although it will bear for a long time 

 shady positions in rooms and in the conservatory, it does much 

 better and lasts longer where a fairly light position can be 

 accorded it. Highly colored specimens are handsome, but 

 poorly colored ones are ordinary in appearance, and in this 

 condition the plant has not much to recommend it. Success 

 in having the plants a good color or the reverse depends solely 

 upon the treatment they receive. Many have been unsuccess- 

 ful in this respect through growing the plant in too warm a 

 temperature. In a close stove the plant either becomes green 

 or a sickly yellow, and is destitute of those beautiful markings 

 which render it so conspicuous. Plants that are in this condi- 

 tion will, if removed to a lower temperature, soon develop 

 colored leaves. An intermediate temperature appears to suit 

 it best, although it does not grow so rapidly as under stove 

 treatment. This does not matter materially as long as well 

 colored examples can be produced, for if once they are devel- 

 oped they last a considerable time, and in light sunny posi- 

 tions in rooms we have known them to grow and improve. 

 Plants that were taken into the dwelling-house in June are still 

 there, and will last for some months longer in a presentable 

 condition, when they will be cut up for stock. 



This Dracaena does not require to be fully exposed to the 

 sun, but it is by no means particular as to the amount of shade. 



about three inches and insert them singly in small pots with 

 sand at the base and plunge them in bottom heat. These soon 

 break into growth, and, when large enough, the young should 

 be taken off and re-rooted. By this means numbers are pro- 

 duced in little more time than one or two would be secured 

 from the stem when allowed to break from the top in a natural 

 manner. Plants of this nature when they bear conservatory 

 treatment during the summer are invaluable in assisting to 

 change the character of that structure. — Journal of Horticul- 

 ture. 



The Hardy Hydrangea as a Decorative Plant. 



WHEN walking through village streets one is often 

 tempted to wish that nurserymen had not been so suc- 

 cessful in introducing certain plants. A plant may be beauti- 

 ful or satisfactory in itself, or when properly placed, and yet 

 produce an unpleasing effect on account of its surroundings. 

 A case in point is Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora, a valua- 

 ble and showy shrub, which is pleasing enough when appro- 

 priately placed. This shrub is so readily propagated that it 

 has proved a very profitable plant for the grower, and the 

 result is that it has been the most largely distributed shrub of 

 recent years. In certain streets one will find on the average 



