278 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENING. 



numbers of herbaceous plants, such as the showy 

 panicles of the Delphiniauis, with the distinct spikes 

 of the Funkias, and their own handsome foliage. 

 Following these there are the hardy Liliums (Lilies), 

 as L. candidum, L. chalcedonicam, L. longiflorum, L. 

 Humboldtii, and the forms of L. lancifolium or 

 speciosum for the autumn. Before the last of these 

 are fit to use there will he plenty of Gladiolus spikes 

 to be had ; these form excellent subjects for side- 

 board decoration. At the same season, too, there are 

 the single Dahlias, whilst the smaller forms of Sun- 

 flowers (Helianthus) , chiefly of the herbaceous 

 section, will have been useful for some time. Then 

 we have the Guernsey and Belladonna Lilies, that 

 will take us on till the late autumn flowering varieties 

 of Salvias are fit for use (chiefly the forms of Salvia 

 splendens). After these are past there will be an 

 abundant choice of Chrysanthemums, which will 

 afford for several weeks an excellent variety in both 

 colour and form. When these are over and gone 

 there will be the spikes of Epacris in various shades, 

 and Schizostylis coccinea, with Eticharis amazonica, 

 which should be used when the last two or three 

 flowers are about developed, so that there is no 

 waste by taking off the spike. The Eucharis can of 

 course be worked into use at other seasons of the 

 year, in unison with the richly-coloured forms of 

 English and German Iris in particular, also with 

 Vallota purpurea, and the Amaryllis which flower 

 early in the season. 



In this manner trhe year can be bridged round 

 with suitable subjects for bold and striking arrange- 

 ments, which in such positions are more appropriate 

 than any other form of decorations. In the place of 

 fresh flowers when these may be scarce, or to use in 

 addition to them, we have choice of the graceful 

 plumes of the Pampas Grass {Gynerium argenteum), 

 and the silvery Arundo {Arundo conspicua). The 

 ears of Indian Corn, too, can be turned to good 

 account, so also can the species of Typha or Cats'- 

 tails. These latter would be a good contrast to the 

 plumes of the Pampas. Very effective, too, are well- 

 grown examples of Celosia pyramidalis. We manage 

 to secure these after the plants have done their turn 

 in the conservatory, and show signs of decay in the 

 roots and stem, the tops being still fresh and bright. 

 Flowers that are comparatively small, and only to be 

 had with short stems, are not so well suited for these 

 methods of grouping. The majority of the examples 

 that we have given will only be seen on one side in 

 either entrance-halls or corridors ; the best and most 

 effective way of arranging them therefore will be 

 "to one face," in which manner some most striking 

 arrangements can be made, that with a little prac- 

 tice can soon be improved upon by those who have 

 not attempted much in this direction before. It is 



necessary, however, to have vases with a firm 

 footing, to avoid any danger of toppling over after 

 beiag filled. 



SINGLE PLANTS FOR ROOMS. 



There are many plants which can be advajitageously 

 used in the various apartments of the bouse, im- 

 parting in many instances a characteristic appearance 

 with the surrounding objects ia each room, and in 

 unison too with the decorations of the same. Of such 

 plants, those that are grown for the beauty of their 

 foliage will, as a general rule, be found the more 

 suitable. These may be divided, we think, with ad- 

 vantage into two divisions : fijst, those which can be 

 grown with tolerable success for a portion of the 

 year at least in the said rooms ; and, secondly, those 

 which are handsome objects for decorations of a tem- 

 porary character, but by reason of their susceptibility 

 to be injured if allowed to remain for any length of 

 time, should not be emjjloyed as permanent orna- 

 ments. It is morally impossible to grow with success 

 those plants which require the maximum of heat and 

 moisture for their proper development. In rooms, 

 the plants have no congenial atmospheric conditions, 

 no genial dew at night to invigorate their foliage 

 for the retention of health in the same, and as an aid 

 to the perfecting of futm-e growtlis. This, combined 

 with the scarcity of light that is obtainable in some 

 positions (for plants often get placed in out-of-the- 

 way nooks and corners) is the frequent cause of 

 failure. If we for a moment glance at these plants, 

 which in their native climes revel in heavy dews and 

 considerable rainfall, we shall see the struggle they 

 have to maintain life under such disadvantageous 

 conditions. Everything that can be done to counter- 

 act these drawbacks to successful culture, should be 

 acted upon by preparing the plants beforehand for 

 these uses, gradually inuring them to the changes 

 they have to go through. 



No plants should be used in room decorations that 

 have been recently re-potted into larger pots, or by 

 reducing the size of the ball and putting them back 

 again into the same pot. All plants should be 

 thoroughly well established in the pots they occupy 

 before being used. Our reason for this is, that they 

 will then more readily absorb the moisture from the 

 soil than when taken into use soon after a shift has 

 been given. The roots that are freshly made in new 

 soil are tender, and quickly suffer when the plant is 

 not in a growing atmosphere. The soil then becomes 

 cold and sodden, ending in the roots dying at the 

 extremities through these not being able to assimi- 

 late the necessary food from the soil, and the latter 

 then becomes what is termed sour and inert, by 

 reason of the excess of moisture. We advocate in all 

 possible cases the charge of the plants being in the 



