THE FLOWER GROWERS GUIDE. 



should be carefully drained, and the soil suitable is fibrous peat, with abundance of 

 sand, for Mitrarias thrive in shady positions in a cool greenhouse or fernery. 



myrsiphyllum. — Under the popular name of " Smilax," M. aspargoides is exten- 

 sively grown by both private and market gardeners. The long elegant and durable 

 trailing growths it produces are greatly esteemed for dinner-table decoration and 

 other purposes. The stock can be increased by cuttings in heat in the spring, or by 

 division of the roots, but seedlings develop into the most profitable plants, and are easily 

 raised. Sow in pans of light sandy soil in February or March, in a temperature of about 

 65°, to germinate. Move the seedlings singly into 2i-inch pots, and return to gentle 

 heat for a few weeks. From these small pots they may either be transferred to the 

 G-inch size, or, better still, planted in narrow borders against the back walls or ends of 

 greenhouses or vineries. The plants are not fastidious as to soil, but may have a 

 mixture of two parts sandy loam to one part each of leaf soil and decayed manure. 

 After they are well established, they should have water freely and liquid manure twice 

 a week. Unless the training is well attended to, the young growths soon become inex- 

 tricably confused, this rendering them comparatively valueless for decorative purposes. 

 Each growth should have a length of thin string to itself, round which it will twine. 

 When wanted for use the string may be cut with the growth, and drawn clear of it 

 without injury to the leaves. The flowers are insignificant in appearance, but sweet- 

 scented. Seed can be saved, and sown as soon as ripe. Syringe growing plants daily, 

 and if this fails to keep the foliage free of aphides or thrips, these must be destroyed 

 by tobacco smoke or nicotine fumes, otherwise " Smilax " will be quickly disfigured. 



myrtus. — The Common Myrtle, M. communis, is the most popular species belonging 

 to this family, more as a matter of sentiment though, than for its intrinsic worth. 

 " Sprigs of Myrtle " from bridal bouquets of members of the Eoyal Family are rooted, 

 and the plants preserved, to commemorate those happy events. Its natural habitat is the 

 South of Europe, and well-grown bushes flower freely in June, and later. Angustifolia, 

 flore pleno, Jenny Eeitenbach, latifolia, and latifolia foliis variegata are desirable varieties 

 of M. communis. M. Ugni, also known as Eugenia Ugni, produces flowers in May, 

 followed by small glossy reddish-black fruit, which are pleasantly scented and eatable. 

 Myrtles can be raised from seed in a temperature of 65° to 75°. 



Seedlings ought first to be established in small pots, and topped to make them 

 bushy, giving a shift soon afterwards. Cuttings made from firm young shoots two to three 

 inches long, inserted in sandy soil, in the early summer months, and covered with 



