102 



OENAMENTAL FOLUGB PLAUTS. 



tropical garden in the summer months. Native of New 

 Zealand. 



A. Veitchii. — ^This is perhaps one of the most beantiful 

 plants for dinner -table decoration ever introduced to culti- 

 vation ; it is an elegant-growing plant, with a slender 

 erect stem, the petioles are long and slender, bearing 

 handsome digitate leaves, the divisions of which are fili- 

 form, and beautifully undulated at the edges, the upper- 

 side of the leaflets is dark shining green, but beneath they 

 are dull red. Native of New Caledonia. 



Aeatjcaeia. 



A genus of Conifers which include many species of 

 surpassing beauty, but the gfreat majority of the kinds 

 known are not sufSciently hardy to withstand our climate 

 in the winter months ; they are, however, noble ornaments 

 in a conservatory, their symmetry and elegant proportions 

 attracting attention and eliciting universal praise. In a 

 young state they are useful for table decoration, and as 

 they increase in size they may be used for the sub-tropical 

 garden in summer, and the temporary embellishment of 

 the ball-room, or other similar purposes in winter. It is, 

 however, in a large conservatory, either standing in a 

 good-sized tub, or when planted in the border or bed of 

 such a house, that their beauty is most fally developed. 

 To grow these plants in a thoroughly healthy state, the 

 drainage must be perfect, and the soil should be good, 

 fibrous loam mixed with some river sand. They may be- 

 increased by seeds and cuttings — from the former the most 

 handsome plants are obtained. To secure a good plant 

 from cuttings, the crown or leading shoot should be taken 

 ofi' and inserted in a pot of sand, fixing it firmly to prevent 

 its being disturbed ; place it at first in a cool place, and 



