652 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



than the tubers, with the crown just under the surface of the 

 soil and placed on shelves or stages in a position well exposed 

 to the light to prevent the growth from being drawn. When the 

 pots get full of roots water liberally. After the flowering season 

 gradually withhold water to ripen the tubers'. During the winter 

 season the pots may be turned on their sides in any warm 

 place to keep the soil dry; or the tubers may be shaken out of 

 the soil and stored in dry silver-sand well protected from the 

 cold. Propagation is readily effected by leaves planted as cuttings, 

 or by seed, which may be sown in March. 



Goldfussia anisophylla, a winter blue-flowering stove ever- 

 green from Tropical Asia, makes pretty little bushy plants from 

 cuttings. It should be grown in loam, leaf-mould, and sand 

 in a light place, such as on a shelf near the glass. 



Hedychium. — Herbaceous perennials from Tropical Asia, with 

 handsome, fragrant flowers. After the flowering season, keep 

 rather cool and dry, to allow a period of rest through the 

 winter. Remove most of the old soil in January or February, 

 and repot in three parts fibrous loam, one part turfy peat, one 

 part rotten dung, and a little coarse sand. Water freely when 

 in full vigour, and remove to a cooler place when in blossom, 



to prolong the 

 flowering season. 

 Propagate by di- 

 vision in spring. 

 H. angustifolium 

 (orange scarlet), 

 H. conorariwn 

 (white), and 

 H. Gardnerianum 

 (yellow) are the 

 most popular 

 varieties. 



Hibiscus. — A 

 genus of evergreen 

 shrubs, of vigor- 

 ous habit. The 

 numerous varie- 

 ties, both single 

 and double, of H. 

 rosa sinenis (Fig. 

 422) produce most brilliant scarlet, pink, and yellow flowers. 

 They thrive either in pots or planted out in equal parts fibrous 

 loam and peat, with the addition of a little well-decayed manure, 

 charcoal, and sand. Prune the straggling shoots, and start the 

 plants in a brisk, moist heat in spring; freely water and syringe 

 overhead during growth, but keep rather dry during winter. 



Fig. 422.— Hibiscus rosa sinenis. 



