836 GKEENHOUSE PLANTS. 



although they cannot take rank amongst the most shoivj-, yet 

 the beautiful contrast afforded by their pretty blue flowers 

 and dark green foliage will make them universal favourites. 

 The soil best adapted for their culture is good peat and a 

 little turfy loam, adding about one-fourth silver sand. In- 

 creased by cuttings, inserted in sand and placed under a bell- 

 glass. 



S. Drummondii.- — A neat-growing species, having slender 

 growth, and a profusion of bright deep blue flowers. It is 

 well adapted for covering miniature trellis-work, suspending 

 in baskets, &c. From Australia. 



S. luterophylla . — A free-growing species, with broad leaves, 

 variously arranged, and large clusters of drooping bright blue 

 flowers. From Australia. 



S. linearis. — A free-growing plant, of more slender habit 

 than the preceding, and with narrower leaves and deeper blue 

 flowers. Native of Australia. 



Statice. 



An extensive genus, consisting of plants which, when seen, 

 are sure to be admired. They are, however, much neglected, 

 and seldom have proper attention bestowed upon them. 

 They are of compact habit, and very free in flowering, some 

 of the kinds continuing from June to November in full beauty, 

 and making, as they do, beautiful objects for dinner-table 

 decoration, they are plants that should be general favourites. 

 Their natural habitat is near the sea coast, the Canary 

 Islands being particularly rich in these plants. The soil best 

 adapted for them is a compost composed of a mixture of light 

 loam, to which add a little leaf mould and well-decomposed 

 manure, and a liberal share of sharp sand. To make specimen 

 plants quickly they should be grown in a temperature of 

 about 00° or G5°- 



