GKEENHOUSE FOLIAGE PLANTS. 51 



PHOEMIUM. 



A genus of useful as well as highly ornamental foliage plants 

 belonging to New Zealand. The best variegated kinds are 

 P. Colensoi variegatum, P. tenax variegatum, and P. t. Veitchii. 

 They are free growers, and should be potted in strong rich 

 loam and sharp sand, and confined in comparatively small 

 pots, to bring out the variegation in its best shades. 



YUCCA. 



The variegated forms of this genus are very handsome 

 ornamental foliage plants, and should find a place in every 

 collection. The besb of them for exhibition are T. aloifoUa 

 quadricolor, Y. a. variegata, and T. filamentosa variegata. They 

 grow freely in rich sandy loam and leaf-mould, and sutceed 

 very well in an ordinary greenhouse, although they wUl make 

 specimens quicker in a warmer house. When they have 

 attained a desirable size, they may remain in the same pots 

 for several years, if they receive plenty of water and are 

 regularly fed with liquid manure while they are making 

 growth. At all other times they thrive best when kept 

 rather dry, but not so much as to make them show any 

 signs of flagging ; and they should always be exposed to all 

 the light and air possible, to bring out the colours of the 

 leaves to perfection. They are easily propagated by notching 

 and mossing the tops, and they are also readily increased from 

 the side-shoots, which spring freely from the stem when the 

 top is cut off. These, with a heel to them, strike quickly in 

 sandy soil in a good bottom-heat. 



JUJDGINCf. 



The chief points in judging foliage plants are : (1.) Healthy, 

 clean, and perfect leaves of a graceful form ; (2.) the colour 

 should be fresh, clear, and well defined ; and (3.) the specimen 

 should be well grown, amply furnished with foliage, and the 

 outline handsome and pleasing. 



