ON BEDDING PLANTS. 1 85 



Chatnarops humilis, Chamtzrops Fortunei (Trachy 'carpus excelsus), 

 and the Bamboos. These stately subjects are suitable for planting 

 either as single specimens about the lawn or in groups in 

 sheltered positions. The Gunneras require damp situations, 

 preferably near the banks of lakes or streams, and when the 

 foliage dies down in the late autumn, the crowns should be 

 protected from frost by having a quantity of dry leaves thrown 

 over them to the depth of i2in. or i8in. As the .Gunneras 

 start into growth early in the season, the winter covering should 

 be removed before the young leaves have made much progress, 



Fig. 91. — Gunner a scabra. 



otherwise they will be damaged during the operation. When in 

 the young state the leaves are very tender, and preparation must 

 be made for covering up the plants if any signs of frost appear. 

 Returning to the non-permanent sub-tropical bedders, there are 

 two distinct groups — to the one belong the Agaves, Yuccas, 

 Dracaenas, Musas, Tree-Ferns, and several of the Palms — plants 

 generally of slow growth, which are kept in pots or tubs, and 

 plunged outside during the summer, and have to be removed to 

 the greenhouse for the winter ; these present a fine appearance, 

 giving to the garden a tropical aspect. One of the most 

 essential points in the culture of Musas, Tree-Ferns, and, in fact, 



