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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



chiefly produced in the autumn. A. aurantiaca, Mexico, height 3 feet, flowers deep 

 orange scarlet, is one of the best species, and of this A. Eoezli is a desirable variety, 

 with brighter scarlet flowers and curiously twisted leaves. A. cristata, West Indies, 

 has brilliant orange-scarlet flowers, continuously produced ; A. fascinator, New 

 Grenada, flowers bright vermilion, in large spikes, height \\ feet; A. nitens, 

 Columbia, flowers glowing vermilion-scarlet, height 2 feet; and A. punctata, South 

 America, flowers bright yellow, leaves variegated, height 2 feet, are also available. 



Aphelandras are propagated by cuttings of firm young wood in March or April. 

 Those taken off with a heel of old wood attached emit roots the most freely, but if cut 

 cleanly across below a joint and the lower leaves removed they can be rooted without 

 much difficulty. Insert them firmly in pots of sandy soil, and plunge in brisk bottom 

 heat. When rooted the plants may be given a shift, and if not topped will flower the 

 same season. With a view to forming neat plants for future service, grow them in 

 gentle heat, top once to make them branch, and soon after give them more root room. 

 The soil for this and subsequent pottings may consist of equal parts of fibrous loam, 

 peat, leaf soil, and sand. Pot moderately firm. Both young and old plants should 

 be placed in rather cooler quarters during the winter, or in a temperature 50° to 55°, 

 and only receive water to prevent the wood shrivelling. 



In February prune severely, shortening all the strong growths to within two joints of 

 the old wood, cutting the spray clean out, as only strong young shoots flower satisfactorily. 

 Transfer the plants to warmer quarters, give a good soaking of water, and syringe 

 frequently ; this will cause them to break freely. Soon after young shoots are formed, 

 turn the plants out of their pots, shake the roots nearly free of soil, prune them and 

 re-pot in sizes just large enough to hold the roots. Keep the plants in a light position, 

 syringe daily, a moist atmosphere suiting aphelandras, and before the roots become 

 matted together give the plants a shift. Do not top them, but the weakly, non-flower- 

 ing shoots may be removed with advantage. After the flower spikes show, apply liquid 

 manure frequently. The flowers remain fresh for the greatest length of time in a warm, 

 dry atmosphere. 



AKALIA. 



Among the heat-loving section of this large family are some of the most elegant 

 species of fine-foliaged plants in cultivation. They are admirably adapted alike for 

 effective grouping and for table decoration. Unfortunately the choicest species are not 

 easy to propagate, or far more of them would be grown. A. Chabrieri forms handsome, 



