ORCHIDS AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS 71 



Cooperu Alpinia Sanderae Begonias (see page 60). As- 

 paragus Sprengeri variegata. The following are small : — 

 Ficus radicans variegata, Bertolonia Van Houttei^ Panicum 

 variegatum, etc. 



Gynura aurantiaca^ frequently propagated, is very strik- 

 ing for its leaves, which are densely covered with violet 

 hairs. The flowers are orange. 



Rafter and Pillar Plants 



The best plant for covering the roof of an intermediate 

 or warm conservatory or stove is Begonia President Carnoty 

 a hybrid. The growth is robust, and the large rose 

 carmine flowers occur in clusters, 6 to 12 inches wide. 

 The leaves, which are bright green, tinged with red, 

 measure even on young plants, 7 inches across. 



The beauty of Gloire de Lorraine rests entirely in the 

 male flowers, for the females are seldom produced. 

 In President Carnot both occur, but the last named are 

 by far the most effective. Pot plants of summer rooted 

 shoots may be had in flower during winter, but thus 

 grown only a glimmer of its beauty is realised. To 

 obtain it at its best a space of 30 square feet should be 

 allowed it, training the shoots to wires attached 

 12 inches from the glass. A wooden or slate box, 

 18 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 8 inches deep, with 

 or without a bottom, stood at the back of, but on the 

 bench, is the best receptacle in which to plant, using a 

 compost of loam, leaf mould, and peat in turfy lumps, 

 adding to this some smashed brick. The advantage 

 of such planting is, that after the roots have filled the 

 box they will spread all over the surface of the wooden 

 or stone bench, which should be gravel surfaced, and 

 no better rooting place could be found for this and 

 all the other roof plants to be presently mentioned. 

 In some houses it may be possible to plant on the floor 



