ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



|HE rapid strides whicli tlie science of horticultnre 

 has made during' the past few years, affords 

 ample proof that our national taste is becoming 

 more elevated and refined. Amateur plant growers have 

 everywhere largely increased, and the collections of plants 

 they cultivate is a proof that their conception of the bean- 

 tifnl is not confined to brilliant coloured flowers alone, but 

 that they are able to appreciate grace and elegance in the 

 form and iliarkiags of the leaves, independent of bloom, 

 which has been for so many years the sole aim of the 

 horticulturist, who looked forward to the development of 

 these, in many instances, short-lived flowers as the sole 

 reward of a whole season's labour. Now, however, we 

 live in happier times, and derive a greater share of 

 pleasure from our plants, because we grow and prize 

 many which have beautifully variegated or otherwise 

 richly ornamented leaves, and which begia to display their 

 charms soon after germination. We wish to bo per- 



