206 SUBTROPICAL PLANTS FOB THE ELOWER GARDEN. 



parsnips, but of a more refined type. The leaves are of a 

 slightly silvery tone, and the plant continues to grow fresh 

 and vigorously till the late autumn. It is freely propagated 

 by cuttings taken from old plants kept in a very cool stove, 

 greenhouse, or pit during the winter months, and placed in 

 heat to afford cuttings the more readily in early spring. 

 Under ordinary cutting treatment on hotbeds or in a moist 

 warm propagating house, it grows as freely as could be 

 desired, and may be planted out at the end of May or the 

 beginning of June. It is well suited for forming rich 

 masses of foliage, not so tall, however, as those formed by 

 such things as Ricinus or Ferdinanda. 



Verbesina gigantea. — To this and other members of the 

 family, somewhat the same remarks will serve as have 

 been applied to the preceding. They require about the 

 same treatment, and are useful in the production of like 

 effects. They, like their fellows, will be much the better 

 for as warm and sheltered a position and as rich and light 

 a soil as can be conveniently given them. 



Wigandia maceophylla (caracasana) . — This noble plant, 

 a native of the mountainous regions of New Granada, is 

 unquestionably, from the nobility of its port and the mag- 

 nificence of its leaves, entitled to hold a place among the 

 finest plants of our gardens. Under the climate of London 

 it has made leaves which have surprised all beholders, as 

 well by their size as by their strong and remarkable veining 

 and texture. It will be found to succeed very well in the 

 midland and southern counties of England, though too 

 much care cannot be taken to secure for it a warm sheltered 

 position, free good soil, and perfect drainage. It may be 

 used with superb effect either in a mass or as a single plant. 

 It is frequently propagated by cuttings of the roots, and 

 grown on in a moist and genial temperature through the 

 spring months, keeping it near the light so as to preserve it 

 in a dwarf and well clothed condition; and, like all the 

 other plants in this class, it should be very carefully 

 hardened off. It is, however, much better raised from 

 cuttings of the shoots, if these are to be had. W. macro- 

 phylla has the stems covered with short stinging hairs, 



