374 



FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 



A compost of loam and well-rotted manure in equal 

 portions is the most suitable for the culture of Herimns. 

 It should be understood that in a state of nature they are plants of the 

 waterside, and in summer require copious waterings, and a sunny position 

 out of doors. In winter they need the protection of a conservatory or 

 cool greenhouse, where they can have a temperature of about 40°, and 

 certainly not less than 35°. In early spring the flowered stems should 

 be cut back, but the new growths should not be interfered with, or next 

 year's flowers will be cut away also. Water should now be given very 

 sparingly. As soon as new growth commences, they should be re-potted 

 — not necessarily into larger pots, unless they have not been given 

 extended root-room for several years, but with new soil, using the 

 compost as before. Now give them more warmth, air, and water, and 

 as they start into vigorous growth a little manure water will help them. 

 Cuttings are made from the tops of last season's wood, and these should 

 be placed singly in pots, and kept in a warm close frame till rooted. 

 Some persons prefer to strike such cuttings by placing them in bottles 

 of water, and when they have produced roots, potting them carefully 

 and well soaking the soil. 

 Description of Nerium Oleander, the Common Oleander ; upper part 



Plate 181. of a flowering stem. Fig. 1 is a section through the flower ; 

 2, a stamen ; and 3, the pistil, enlarged. 



DOG'S BANE 



Natural Order Apocynace.e. Genus Apocyimm 



Apocynum (Greek, apo, afar off", and kyon, a dog ; the plant supposed 

 to be poisonous to dogs, and the knowledge of this keeping them away). 

 A small genus (about four species) of perennial herbs with tough fibrous 

 bark, and of erect habit. Leaves opposite and sharply pointed. Flowers 

 small, pale, terminal or axillary; the calyx five-parted, the corolla bell- 

 shaped, five-cleft, and with five triangular glutinous scales in tlie throat 

 opposite the lobes, the five stamens attached to the base of the bell with 

 long arrow-shaped anthers. The stigma is egg-shaped, somewhat two- 

 lobed. One of the species is a native of Southern Europe, and three 

 belong to America. Only one species is in cultivation, and that chiefly 

 as an object of curiosity, for the flowers possess no great beauty. 



Apocynum andros^mifolium (Tutsan - leaved) 

 Common Dog's Bane, or Fly-trap. Stem branching, 1 



