SUBTROPICAL PLANTS FOE THE FLOWER GARDEN. 189 



so as when young and without side branches. It may be 

 raised from seed as easily as a common bedding plant. By 

 sowing it early in the year it may be had fit for use by the 

 first of June ; but plants a year old or so, stiff, strong, and 

 well hardened off for planting out at the end of May, are 

 the best. It would be desirable to raise an annual stock, as 

 it is almost as useful for room decoration as for the garden. 

 Asplenitjm nidus-avis. — This is a very remarkable fern, 

 which has been placed out of doors in the garden in summer, 

 but it is not vigorous or hardy enough to be generally 



Fia. 63. 



Asplenium nidus-avis. 



recommended for this purpose. However, as it may have 

 been noticed in abundance at Battersea Park during the 

 past season, I allude to it here. It is a popular subject in 

 places where large collections of tropical ferns are grown, 

 and in such a plant may be tried in the open air in a very 

 warm, shady, and perfectly sheltered position. 



Caladium esculentum. — This species has proved the 

 best for out-door work of a large genus with very fine foliage. 

 It is only in the midland and southern counties of Great 

 Britain that it can be advantageously grown, so far as I have 

 observed ; but its grand outlines and aspect when well de- 

 veloped make it worthy of all attention, and of a prominent 

 position wherever the climate is warm enough for its 

 growth. It does very well about London, and may have 



