STOVE FOLIAGE PLANTS. 25 



compact habit, and form very neat specimens. They bloom 

 freely, and the flowers look well ; but, like all plants when 

 grown specially for their foliage, the flower-buds should be 

 nipped out as they appear. A compost of two parts fibrous 

 peat and one of chopped sphagnum, sand, and charcoal nodules 

 grows them well. They should receive plenty of water and 

 shade in summer, but be well exposed to the sun nnd kept 

 slightly dry when resting. 



.SPH.EEOGYXE. 



The plants belonging to this genus are highly ornamental, 

 and among the best for exhibition are ,S'. impericdi^ and S. lafi- 

 folia. Under proper treatment their leaves grow to a large 

 size, and form noble-looking plants ; but to secure perfect 

 foliage the plants must be grown in a moist warm temperature 

 and well shaded. They very much resemble the Cyanophyllum, 

 and thrive well under the same treatment. 



TERMIXALIA. 



The only species of this genus suitable as a foliage plant for 

 exhibition is T. elegans. Its persistent habit of growing with 

 a single stem makes it rather difiicult to work into a large 

 specimen. It thrives well in a mixture of loam and peat with 

 about a fourth of silver sand. To produce a large specimen, 

 the plant should be cut down while young, and repeated if 

 necessary to seciu^e iovx shoots, which should be bent outwards 

 and staked, to keep them clear of each other. A native of 

 Madagascar, it luxuriates in a warm moist atmosphere, with 

 plenty of water when growing, but should be kept moderately 

 dry in winter. It is much benefited by a judicious application 

 of liquid manure, like many other foliage plants ; but care 

 must be exercised in its use, as leaves with rich delicate colours 

 are liable to be spoilt if the plants receive too much feeding. 



THEOPHEASTA. 



A genus of stately foliaged plants, with large coriaceous 

 leaves of gi-eat substance and beauty. Of those in cultivation, 



