ox STOVE PLANTS. 



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are of easy growth, and admit of a numerous and varied selection. 

 All the Rex type are easily increased by laying mature leaves 

 on a pan of light sandy compost with the leaf-stalk inserted in 

 the soil, cutting through the principal veins, and placing a few 

 pieces of broken pots to press them down on the compost and 

 keep them in position. Young plants will grow from wherever 

 the veins have been cut, if kept moist in a close, shady place. 

 In due course these may be potted off separately in a compost 

 of peat, loam, leaf-mould, and sand, in about equal proportions. 



B. Eiidoxa is a new hybrid raised from seed obtained from 

 B, Burkei crossed with B. decora. It is of dwarf and spreading 

 habit. The leaves are 6in. to gin. long, of a bronzy-green, 

 beautifully marked with white and rose. There are also some 

 new hybrids possessing the two-fold attraction of handsome 

 foliage and pretty flowers, of which Arthur ]\Ialet, IMargaritacea, 

 and ^Monsieur Hardy are the best. Other varieties of this 

 handsome family we shall leave enthusiastic cultivators to select 

 accordincr to their individual taste. 



Bertolonia. — Dwarf perennial herbs with opposite and 

 generally five-ribbed leaves, which are prettily spotted or other- 

 wise marked above, and purple or pink on the under-surface. 

 They inhabit the dense, hot, moist, tropical forests of South 

 America. Under cultivation they succeed best in shallow, well- 

 drained pans in peat, leaf-mould, and silver-sand, covered with 

 bell-glasses in a shady situation. They may be increased by 

 cuttings in spring. There are several hybrid varieties in 

 cultivation of continental origin, which, with their bright 

 colourings and silvery markings, are little gems. 



Brexia. — The species of this genus are handsome stove shrubs, 

 w^ith rather leathery leaves. They are easily increased by cuttings : 

 or a leaf cut off with a bud at the base and planted in sandy 

 soil under a propagating-glass will grow- into a young plant. Two 

 parts loam with one of peat and sand suit them for a compost, 

 with good drainage, as they require a liberal supply of water. 

 B. madagascariensis and B. spinosa are natives of Madagascar. 

 B. chrysophylla was obtained from the Mauritius. 



Brownea graxdiceps is a handsome leguminous evergreen 

 shrub from Venezuela, with pinnate leaves, having about twelve 

 pairs of leaflets. Cuttings of ripened wood will strike in heat 

 under a bell-glass, and the plants may be grown in loam, peat, 

 and sand, with good drainage and careful watering in winter. 



Caladium. — The various species and numerous hybrid varieties 

 of this genus constitute a very attractive and useful class of plants 

 for general decorative and exhibition purposes. The beautiful 

 shadings and bright colourings of their leaves are truly deserving 

 of admiration. They have, so far as we know, only one 



