820 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



very 

 The 



gardening, but care must be taken to protect it from direct 

 sun as well as from winds. It requires a compost of equal 

 parts loam and peat, and is increased very easily by seeds. 

 C. andicola is a tall-growing species, which will thrive very well 

 in an ordinary greenhouse, but grows rapidly in a stove, pro- 

 ducing pinnate leaves, varying from loft. to 12ft. in length, 

 supported by erect petioles, which are inclined to be ferruginous 

 at the base and slightly arching at the apex. The pinn^, which 



often reach 2ft. in length, are 

 acuminate; their upper surface 

 is deep green and the under- 

 part silvery-white. 



CHAMiEDOREA. — A vcry 

 valuable and large genus of 

 stove plants, extensively grow^n 

 on account of their ornamental 

 properties. It is represented 

 in cultivation by many beauti- 

 ful species ; their moderate 

 size (all being slender, small- 

 growing plants) renders them 

 useful for indoor decoration, 

 leaves are pinnate or very 

 seldom entire ; the flowers are 

 mostly produced on long spikes, 

 and appear generally below the 

 crown of leaves (as shown in Fig. 

 550). The stems, which are rather 

 thin, are quite unarmed. If the 

 natural conditions under which 

 they grow in their native countries 

 are observed, shading is an essential 

 point for the welfare of Chamse- 

 doreas. They delight in a spongy 

 compost of equal parts fibrous 

 peat and loam, with a small quantity 

 of sand, and need a good supply 

 of moisture. They are increased 

 by seeds. 



C. Arenbergiana (C. latifrons 

 and C. latifolia) is a handsome 

 species, producing a slender stem, with pinnate and arching 

 leaves varying in length from 2ft. to 3ft. ; the pinnae, which 

 often reach i2in. in length and ^in. in width, are of a beautiful 

 green. C. brevifroits is quite a different species, of rather dwarf 

 habit, with a slender stem ; the leaves are pinnate and arching, 

 and vary from i2in. to i8in. in length; the pinn^ are sessile, 

 tapering at their extremity, and of a deep green colour. 



Fig. 550. — Cham^dorea 

 Sartorii. 



