ctanophtllum: and sph^rogtnb. 173 



the best way being to bend tlie stem and make a sloping 

 Dutj upwards and towards the center of the stem, from 

 an inch and one-quarter to an inch and one-half in 

 length, according to the size of the plant. The plant is 

 then wrapped with wet sphagnum, or moss of some 

 kind, and staked securely. If kept properly moistened, 

 roots will soon be emitted and the cutting can be potted 

 ofE within four or five weeks. The buds left on the 

 stem of the old plant will soon break and a branching 

 plant will be formed. When propagated in this way, 

 the young plants will be strong and vigorous and will be 

 clothed with large, well-colored leaves from the pot up, 

 and the time required will be comparatively short. The 

 common rubber tree and its variegated form are both 

 propagated in this way. 



Eubber trees should be kept at about 60 degrees, 

 and during growth need an abundance of liquid manure 

 and frequent shifting. Ficus Parcelli, a beautifully 

 variegated stove plant, is readily grown from cuttings or 

 eyes, and requires the same care as Ficus elastica, except 

 that as it is deciduous, more care should be taken to give 

 it a, period of rest during the winter. 



CTANOPHTLLUM AKD SPH^EOGTNE. 



When well-grown, these are the most attractive of 

 our stove foliage plants. They have a general resem- 

 blance, although the former has a nearly smooth stem 

 and leaves, while those of the latter are quite hairy and 

 fuzzy. They can be grown either from crown or eye 

 cuttings, or from seed, if it can be secured. The eye 

 cuttings are made by cutting the stems into pieces about 

 two inches long, with a node at the center, and then 

 splitting them, so that one of the opposite buds will be 

 in each half. The cuttings may be placed on a layer of 

 sphagnum in a propagating case and covered with sand, 

 or, as is better if only a few are to be grown, by filling a 



