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157 



FICUS (Rubber Plant). 



Elastica. The well-known Rubber Plant. Mr. Eben. E. Rexford gives 



the following directions for its culture, written especially for this book: 



" The Ficus is a plant that will do well if given half a chance. Give it 

 a good soil, a liberal amount of root room, and frequent applications of 

 some good fertilizer after the pot is pretty well filled with roots, and it 

 ought not only to make a strong growth, but to keep growing most of the 

 time. When the plant stands entirely still it is either because in has ex- 

 tracted all the nutriment from the soil, or because the pot is so packed with 

 roots that there is no room for further development. Generally it is a com- 

 bination of both these conditions. 



" Sometimes the old leaves ripen and fall off. This is a process of na- 

 ture; therefore, it does not indicate that there is anything wrong with the 

 plant. If the old ones fall without new ones coming to take their places, 

 it is almost always safe to conclude that the plant is starved, or does not 

 get as much water as it needs. This is frequently the case when the pot is 

 filled with an almost solid mass of roots. 



"To grow this plant well give it a soil of rich loam. Keep it well wa- 

 tered, and shift it to a larger-sized pot about once a year. As long as its 

 new leaves are of good size and substance it will not be necessary to use 

 strong applications of fertilizer, but as soon as they begin to diminish in 

 size, or lack in healthy color, feed it well." 4-inch pot, 10 inches high, 

 50 cts. each; 5-inch pot, 15 inches high, 75 cts. each; 6-inch pot, 24 

 inches high, $1.00 each. 

 Altissima. In general appearance and habit similar to F. Elastica, 



but with smaller dark green, glossy foliage, with white veins. 50 cts. 



each. 

 Lutescens {Mistletoe Fig)- Interesting on account of its bearing at 



each leaf axil a small fig, which, at 



first green, changes to a pale yellow; 



the dark green foliage is small, the 



whole plant reminding one of a 



branch of mistletoe. An excellent 



subject for the window garden. 25 



cts. each. 

 Parcelli. Large, deep-green leaves, 



marbled with white; a pretty plant for 



the warm conservatory. 50 cts. each. 

 Repens. A trailing or creeping va- 

 riety, with small foliage; useful for 



baskets, covering greenhouse walls, 



etc. 25 cts. each. 



Farfugium Grande. 



Fuchsia. 



Ficus Elastica (Rubber Plant). 



FARFUGIUM. 



Grande (Leopard Plant). Mr. Eben. 

 E. Rexford writes expressly for this 

 book the following cultural note: 

 "This plant is extremely ornamental. 

 Its large, circular leaves, thickly spotted 

 with creamy-white and yellow, make it 

 wonderfully effective for room decoration. 

 It likes a soil of loam and mucky matter, 

 half and half, with a good deal of water. 

 Ample provision, however, should be 

 made for drainage. Once a month apply 

 a fertilizer, as it is a gross feeder when 

 allowed to have its way. It is never satis- 

 factory if restricted as to food. Keep it in 

 the shade." 25 cts. each; 82.50 per doz. 

 Argenteus. A rare variety, with glau- 

 cous green foliage, which, instead of 

 being spotted, is edged with creamy- 

 white; very pretty. 50 cts. each. 



FITTONIA. 



Elegant trailing plants, with handsome variegated foliage; most useful in the conserva- 

 tory for planting on surface of pots or tubs containing specimen plants. 

 Argyronetira. Vivid green, with network of pure white veins. 25 cts. each. 

 Verschaffeltil. Bronzy-green with pink variegation. 25 cts.'each. 



FUCHSIAS. 



Well-known favorites for planting out in partially shaded positions during the summer or 

 for early spring-flowering in the window or greenhouse. The following is a selection of 

 the finest varieties. Those marked with a "*" are double-flowering. 

 Anna Neville. Carmine sepals, purple corolla. 

 -Ballet Qirl. Carmine sepals, corolla white. 

 Black Prince. Bright waxy-carmine, pink corolla. 

 -Elm City. Sepals rich crimson with very full, deep purple corolla. 

 *Gerbert. Sepals bright red, corolla reddish-purple blotched cardinal-red. 

 Lieut. Mauritz. White sepals and rosy-red corolla. 

 Marinka. Coral-red tube and sepals; corolla carmine. 

 Minnesota. Tube and sepals light pink; corolla violet-purple. 

 *MrS. Gladstone. White corolla with coral-red sepals. 

 *Pompeian. Sepals rosy-crimson, corolla clear violet. 

 *Rose Phenomenal. Rosy-red tube and sepals, rosy-lilac corolla. 

 Speclosa. Pale-red tube and sepals, dark red corolla. 



Price: 10 cts. each; $1.00 per doz. Set of 12 for $1.00. 



New and Rare Garden and Greenhouse Plants are offered on pages 128 to t32. 



