6 Subtropical Gardening. 



tiful effect if they do grow, and that is hj no means to be obtained 

 from many subjects recommended for "subtropical gardening." 

 And above all we must choose such as will make a healthy growth 

 in sheltered places in the warmer parts of England and Ireland at 

 all events. That some of the best will be found to flourish much 

 further north than is generally supposed there is some reason to 

 believe. In all parts the kinds with permanent foliage, such as the 

 New Zealand flax and the hardier Draceenas, will be found as effec- 

 tive as around Paris, and to such the northern gardener should turn 

 his attention as much as possible. Even if it were possible to culti- 

 vate the softer growing kinds like the Ferdinandas to the same per- 

 fection in all parts as in the south of England, it would by no means 

 be everywhere desirable, and especially where means are scarce, as 

 these kinds are not capable of being used indoors in winter. The 

 many find permanent leaved subjects that stand out in summer 

 without the least injury, and may be transferred to the conservatory 

 in autumn, there to produce as fine an effect all through the cold 

 months as they do in the flower garden in summer, are the best for 

 those with limited means. 



Akalia papysifera {the Chinese Rice-paper Plant) . — ^This, tliough 

 a native of the hot island of Formosa, flourishes beautifully around 

 Paris in the summer months, and is one of the most valuable plants 

 in its way. It is useful for the greenhouse in winter and the 

 flower garden in summer. It is handsome in leaf and free in 

 growth, though to do well it must be protected from cutting 

 breezes, like all the large-leaved things, and to this protection we 

 must pay due attention. In some of the warmer parts of France 

 the peach does very well as a field tree — a low one, however. The 

 wind is so strong that it would be destroyed if allowed to rise in the 

 natural way, and so they train it as a dwarf bush, spreading wide. 

 Tall "subtropical plants'' have with us somewhat of the same dis- 

 advantage. If this Aralia be planted in a dwarf and young state, 

 it is like to give more satisfaction than if planted out when old and 

 tall. The lower leaves spread widely out near the ground, and then 



