768 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



better plants for the purpose, as they will resist the noxious 

 fumes of gas. Fatsia japonica (Aralia Sieboldii) is robust of con- 

 stitution and decorative to a degree, and ought not to be for- 

 gotten. It bears large, digitate, shining green leaves, while 

 there are two varieties with white or yellow variegation, even 

 more decorative. No special treatment is necessary beyond 

 keeping them freely watered from late spring until late summer, 

 and affording them a shady position. 



The- genus Cordyline also furnishes several good plants for 

 rooms, C. australis and C. indivisa (Fig. 508) being the best. 



Ficus elastica (India- 

 rubber Plant) is one 

 of the most popular 

 room plants in culti- 

 vation. The only 

 drawback to the 

 plant is the habit it 

 has, for no apparent 

 reason, of shedding 

 its lower leaves, when 

 it is far from present- 

 abl-e. Sometimes, 

 however, this arises 

 from errors in treat- 

 ment — over - water- 

 ing, dust, draughts, a 

 very foul atmosphere, 

 and not providing it 

 with a light position. 

 Alaranta major 

 (Fig. 509) is a dis- 

 tinct-looking plant 

 that deserves to be 

 recorded. It is easily 

 managed if given a 

 position where it 

 does not get the 

 direct rays of the 

 sun. An abundance of water in the growing season, and a 

 loamy soil, are what it likes. Other plants whose merits are 

 but imperfectly known are Eurya japonica, and its variegated 

 variety. It is an evergreen shrub, and one delighting in a 

 peat soil. Bold of habit, and stout-textured as to foliage, these 

 Euryas are most useful and long-suffering to a degree. Their 

 chief enemy is dust. One hears so much of the merits of 

 Grevillea robusta, and sees it so often recommended, that 

 perhaps it would be best to state at once that no more 

 unsuitable plant for rooms could be named, although there 



Fig. 508.— Cordyline indivisa. 



