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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



white, bordered on each side with a whitish band. D. magnifica, Venezuela : leaves 

 shining sombre green, thickly variegated with blotches and spots of white, these following 

 the direction of the secondary nerves, rendering the plant distinct in appearance. 

 D. picta, Tropical America : the best-known species, but is giving place to superior later 

 introductions. D. Eegina, South America : leaves almost wholly covered with greenish 

 white, mottled with blotches of pale green, and is very distinct and good. D. Hex, South 

 America, is also a handsome species. In this instance the leaves are deep green, passing 

 to a paler green near the edge, the whole surface, to within one half- inch of the margin, 

 being thickly covered with white blotches, which take the same direction as the 

 venation. 



Dieffenbachias are propagated in the spring by cuttings of the stems, about 2 inches 

 long, inserted in sandy soil in a close frame, with a temperature of 75° to 80°. When 

 well-rooted and young shoots are forming, place the plants singly in small pots, and keep 

 them on a moist stage or mild hot-bed in brisk heat. Before they receive a check, shift 

 into larger pots, employing a compost of equal parts fibrous loam and peat, with one- 

 fourth part of well-decayed manure and sand. They make the best progress if kept in 

 a moist, partially shaded position, and should have abundance of water, varied, when 

 the pots are full of roots, with liquid manure. Strong young plants in G-inch or rather 

 larger pots are the most serviceable for either house decoration or heated conservatories. 

 When they lose their lower leaves, and, therefore, much of their beauty, they may 

 be either thrown away, saving the stems for propagating purposes, or they can be 

 headed down in February or March, and made to produce one or several stems as 

 desired. 



Ee-potting should take place when fresh growths are commencing, at which period 

 the old balls of soil and roots may be freely reduced in size, and returned to pots no 

 larger than they were in before. If specimens are desired, retain all the shoots that 

 form on the cut-down plants, and shift into larger pots before they become root-bound. 

 The juice of Dieffenbachia is acrid and poisonous, and no part of the plant should ever 

 be placed in the mouth. 



dioscokea. — Yam. Two species of this genus, D. discolor and D. retusa, are 

 considered sufficiently ornamental for cultivation in plant stoves. They are propagated 

 by dividing the tubers before these commence growing. A rich loamy soil suits the 

 plants, and the growths should be trailed where they will show to advantage. When 

 the tops turn yellow withhold water, and winter the tubers in a warm room. 



