GROTONS 



333 



GROTONS 



With the varied forms and colorings of their leaves, there 

 is absolutely nothing to equal the Grotons as decorative foliage 

 plants. When you look at fifty different sorts side by side, not one 

 resembUng the other and each more gorgeously colored than the 

 next, you wonder how it is possible. One does not have to behold 

 large specimens four or five feet tall in order to see them at their 

 best; even the 23^-in. pot plants — particularly those of the small 

 or narrow leeif varieties — are just masses of color and therefore most 

 useful for the florist. 



Grotons are used today by the thousands, but more by the 

 retail florist in the large city than by the retail grower out in the 

 country. The latter isn't nearly as well acquainted with them as 

 he should be. He wiU try to get along without them and, as a reason, 

 claim that they are poor keepers. I grant that they are as house 

 plants but that doesn't cut much figure. After all, the demand today 

 around Christmas and, in fact, all through the Winter months and at 

 Easter, is for basket arrangements rather than single specimen 

 plants, and there is nothing to compare with Grotons for that pur- 

 pose. They usuaUy last as long as the other contents of a basket 

 and longer than a Cincinnati Begonia or a Poinsettia. 



Fig. 136.— A House of Drac^nas. The popular D. Massangeana with its broad 

 white and green foliage occupies the center. D. terminalis or Cordyline ierminalis 

 and other types are seen on the side benches. These plants are best left to the 

 specialist; the small grower can better purchase strong stock as wanted. See text 



on page 355 



