46 GREENHOUSE FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



AEAUCARIA. 



An interesting genus of coniferous plants with a symme- 

 trical habit of growth and pleasing appearance. When the 

 specimens are brought out in their best form, they are an 

 effective feature in an exhibition. The best for this purpose 

 are A. excelsa glauca and A. Rulei elegans. They grow freely 

 in good fibry loam mixed with a little leaf-mould and sharp 

 sand. The coolest part of the greenhouse suits them well, and 

 when they have attained specimen size they should be kept in 

 rather small pots to prevent too rapid growth. 



AKUNDO. 

 A small genus of plants belonging to the order Graminese. 

 The variegated species A. Dona.e variegata makes a tall, slender, 

 graceful plant, and when well grown and the stems clothed 

 with fresh and perfectly coloured leaves, it has a stately, airy 

 appearance. A native of Southern Europe where it grows by 

 the water-side, indicates the treatment it should receive when 

 grown in pots. A mixture of fibry loam, peat, and sharp river 

 sand suits it well. 



BAMBUSA. 



This is a genus of graceful plants, chiefly natives of semi- 

 tropical countries, where they supply the natives with numerous 

 articles of daily use in domestic life and for constructive pur- 

 poses. The bamboo- cane is the stem of one of the species, 

 and is a valuable plant in the rural industry of the countries 

 where it grows naturally. Among the best for cultivation as 

 exhibition specimens are B. awea, B. Fortunei variegata, B. 

 gracilis, B. Siinonii, and B. striata, which all grow well under 

 the same treatment as the Arundo. A few applications of 

 liquid manure are beneficial to these plants while they are 

 growing. 



BEAUCAENEA. 



A genus of plants with gracefully pendant leaves, from two 

 to three feet long. They have a slender stem with a thick 

 swelling at the base, a peculiarity which at once attracts the 



