22 STOVE FOLIAGE PLAXTS. 



to withstand tlie dry cool atmosphere of exhibition tents. 

 Among the best kinds are M. Lindenii and M. Veitcliii. To 

 grow good specimens and bring out the full beauty of their 

 leaves, a high temperature and moist atmosphere are abso- 

 lutely necessary. They thrive well in a mixture of fibry peat 

 and loam, with a small proportion of silver sand and a sprink- 

 ling of bone-meal, and should receive copious supplies of water 

 at the roots when growing. Keep them rather dry in the 

 stove to rest them during winter. 



MUSA. 



A genus of large-leaved noble-looking plants, most of which 

 grow far too tall for ordinary stoves; but M. Cavendishii, 

 M. coccinna, and M. xehrina are well adapted for culture as 

 exhibition plants. Their cultivation is simple and easy if they 

 are kept clean, and a proper degree of heat and moisture main- 

 tained. Under such conditions they soon rush up into large 

 specimens, their handsome leaves producing quite a tropical 

 appearance wherever they are placed. They should be potted 

 in rough rich loam and sand, and when pot-bound they should 

 be heavily top-dressed with rich manure. 



PAXDAXUS. 



A handsome genus of very graceful foliage plants, with 

 leaves mostly of a green colour ; but /'. javam'cus variegatus 

 and P. Veitcliii combine elegance with a fine light variegation, 

 and may be considered the best for exhibition. Young shoots 

 of the purest and slenderest character, springing from the 

 base of the stem, should be taken off with a heel, potted in 

 sandy soil, and plunged in a propagating-house, where they 

 will soon take root. They should be shifted on as they require 

 it, but using small pots in comparison to the size of the plants. 

 When they have reached specimen size, they should be potted 

 in coarse sandy loam, with plenty of pieces of sandstone and 

 charcoal. They should get all the light possible without 

 injury from bright sunshine, to produce perfect variegation. 

 When removing the plants to the exhibition, the leaves should 



