668 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



beautiful dark green digitate leaves, with bright midribs in 

 the leaflets. A. Chabrierii (Elmodendron orientale) (from the 

 Mauritius) has graceful pinnate leaves, and, like the above, is 

 admirably suited for table decoration. 



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Fig. 434. — Akalia VeitchiI. 



Asparagus. — The stove species of this genus recommend 

 themselves by their very graceful and elegant foliage, sprays of 

 which are in great demand for mixing with cut flowers for 

 bouquets, &c, lending a charm by their lightness and beauty. 

 Nice grown plants are invaluable for mixing with flowering 

 subjects to show off and enhance their attractions. , They may 

 be propagated by seed, thinly covered with light soil, or by 

 dividing the roots in spring. Grow on the plants in three parts 

 fibrous loam, one part well-decayed manure, and a good dash of 

 sand. A. plumosus nanus we consider the most useful, whilst 

 A. p. scandens and its sub-variety deflexus, A. Sprengeri, and 

 A. tetiuissimus, are all worth attention. 



Begonias. — B. Hex, a species obtained from Assam, with 

 bronze-green leaves and a beautiful silvery zone, and its 

 numerous varieties with various shaped leaves of different shades 

 of green blended with pink and crimson and silvery markings, 



