ON STOVE PLANTS. 



683 



variety, T. alba-vittata, T. argentea, Madame Duquesne, and 

 T. zebrina multicolor may be added, all of which are bright and 

 prettily variegated. 



Zebrina. — See Tradescantia, 



Zingiber D'Arceyi is an elegant plant with tuberous rhizomes. 

 The leaves are from 6in. to Sin. long and about 2in. wide, of a 

 bright shining green, with creamy-white margins and stripes. It 

 grows from 2ft. to 3ft. high. Z. officiizalis, of similar growth, 

 with glossy green leaves, is the plant from which the ginger of 

 commerce is obtained, and is often grown as an economic 

 specimen. Propagate by division in spring, and grow in rich 

 loamy soil. Keep rather dry during winter when at rest. 



Climbers. — Wall and Pillar Plants. 



Among the plants that come under this heading are some 

 of the most beautiful and gorgeous flowering species, while 

 others are attractive on account of their handsome foliage, and 

 not a few by their curious and interesting characters of growth. 

 Apart from this their utility for clothing the walls and roofs of 

 •hothouses renders their introduction desirable, as they can be 

 trained up out of the way of the other occupants, and thus 

 provide a little of the necessary shade for those plants growing 

 below. 



It is, however, necessary to be judicious in the use of creepers 

 so as not to crowd the whole of the roof with thick masses, 

 otherwise sufficient light for the plants growing on the stages 

 and beds below will not be obtained, and this will result in 

 weak and immature development. It is better to have a mode- 

 rate number of good, healthy, well-grown specimens than a 

 crowd of individuals striving for existence, as though intended 

 to form a practical illustration of the survival of the fittest. 

 We are well aware that in the virgin forests of the tropics 

 the vegetation is very dense and luxurious — so much so that it 

 requires the free use of a large knife to cut a way through 

 untrodden paths. But the greatest profusion of blossom is seen 

 on the margin of the forests and round the lakes and river- 

 banks, where the sunlight can freely act on plants of mode- 

 rate stature. Others, consisting of a larger proportion of foliage 

 plants. Ferns, Selaginellas, and subjects generally of a more 

 sombre tint, luxuriate in the thickly-shaded portions of the 

 forests. It is therefore an important point to study the positions 

 in which the different plants will thrive and grow freely when 

 under artificial treatment, and at the same time mature the 

 growth they make to carry on a healthy existence for an 

 indefinite period. 



The climbing plants which have been introduced into this 

 country are extremely numerous, and many of them are of the 



