ALL AM A NDA —AL CA SLA . 



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revel in the fresh rich food. Syringe the plants freely early in the afternoon or when 

 the houses are finally closed on hot days, this serving to keep the foliage free of what 

 few insect pests there may be trying to effect a lodgment, and otherwise benefits the 

 plants. 



Eoof plants may be topped till sufficient leading growths are produced to thinly 

 cover the trellis, after which they should be allowed to spread unrestrictedly beyond 

 the removal of a portion of the shoots which are apt to issue about each flower spike 

 that forms. If the spikes are not cut, many of them will attain a length of 30 inches, 

 and produce flowers throughout the season. It will thus be seen that if allamandas are 

 properly managed a profusion of flowers may be had gracefully depending from the 

 roof for at least six months in the year. Many of these are taken off singly for room 

 or table decoration. Somewhat high temperatures are desirable for the healthy growth 

 of these luxuriant plants and the development of their handsome blooms. 



ALOCASIA. 



Having regard to the bold beauty of their handsome leaves, when presented in the 

 best condition, these stately tropical plants cannot be overlooked. They are easily 

 grown, but succeed best in the larger stoves, or where a moist atmosphere, in addition 

 to strong heat, can be maintained. It is in the small, crowded, glaring, dry hot- 

 houses where they are most often seen to disadvantage, their half-dried, semi-faded 

 leaves being the reverse of attractive. 



Among the more imposing kinds to grow are : — A. cuprea, better known as A 

 metallica, from Borneo. It forms large, ribbed leaves, measuring 12 inches to 18 inches, 

 in length, of a rich bronze colour on the upper surface and purple beneath ; A. Chel- 

 soni, a hybrid between A. cuprea and A. longiloba, possesses some of the most marked 

 characteristics of both parents ; A. J enningsi, India, has handsome green leaves, 

 marked with blotches of dark brown ; A. longiloba, syn. amabilis and gigantea, Java, 

 attains a height of 4» feet, the long green leaves having silvery veins ; A. Lowi, 

 Borneo, forms leaves from 14 inches to 16 inches long, green with thick white ribs, 

 purple underneath ; A* . macrorhiza, Polynesia, is not worth house room, but the varie- 

 gated form of it from Ceylon, when properly selected and at its best, is a noble plant ; 

 the leaves are blotched and marbled with white, and the footstalks also nearly white ; 

 A. Sanderiana is a grand species, with dark leaves and ivory white veins ; A. San- 

 deriana nobilis is an ornate variety with glaucous, dark-green leaves, having prominent 



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