NEPENTHES. Vis 



loam, with perfect drainage. If propagated by division, 

 the best time is in the spring before growth starts ; the 

 plants should be shaken and the rhizomes separated, 

 leaving at least one eye upon each piece. After being 

 potted, they should be watered and placed in a hotbed 

 or propagating case until they become established. 

 After being gradually hardened, they can be taken out. 

 During the summer, they like an abundance of 

 moisture, particularly in the air, which can be secured 

 by frequent syringings. During the summer they 

 should have partial shade, with partial rest in the win- 

 ter, and repotting will be desirable in the spring. 

 Among the best varieties are Maranta bicolor, M. Ghim- 

 boracensis, M. Porteana, and M. smaragdina. Of the 

 Calatheas, we have Calathea Kerchoviana, C. Legrelli- 

 ana, 0. Leitzi, 0. Makoyana, C. Massangeana, C. rosea- 

 picta, O. Van der Hechei, C. Veitchii, C. Warscewio- 

 xii and C. zebrina. 



NEPENTHES. 



This interesting genus of plants is not difiBcult of 

 cultivation, if a proper amount of moisture in the air is 

 provided. They are propagated from tip cuttings, or by 

 cutting the ripened stem into pieces one or two inches 

 long and placing them in moist sphagnum and fibrous 

 peat in a brisk bottom heat, in the same way as the 

 Dracaena is increased. Nepenthes thrive best in orchid 

 baskets in fibrous peat and sphagnum, and as soon as 

 the shoots have thrown out roots, they should be so 

 arranged. The plants should never be allowed to 

 become dry, and during their period of growth frequent 

 syringings should be given them. The temperature for 

 Nepenthes should not be allowed to drop below 60 

 degrees. "When well grown, each leaf should bear at its 

 extremity a pitcher from two to six inches in length, 

 according to the variety. Among those of easy culture 



