294 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



keep the soil distinctly moist. It docs them good to be outside a week or ten days. 

 When housed, abundance of flowers should be showing about a fortnight later, and by 

 the end of November a thousand plants ought to have afforded 500 spathes, with many 

 others to follow for Christmas. 



Arums succeed well arranged on the ground in light houses, and should not be 

 overcrowded. A temperature of 50° to 55° is high enough. If grown for cut blooms 

 only allow them to root out into the soil below. Always keep them moist at the roots, 



but avoid applying too much water in the autumn 

 and early winter months. Soot water and other 

 weak, clear, liquid manure should be given fre- 

 quently. When first housed, thrips are apt to 

 stain the spathes before they unfold, also green 

 and black fly may be troublesome. Nicotine 

 fumes is the best remedy for both pests. 



CAPE ASPARAGUS. 

 Owing to its great durability, in this respect 

 far surpassing maiden-hair fern, the demand for 

 " Asparagus Fern," as buyers persist in calling 

 it, is ever on the increase. The most popular 

 species is A. plumosus nanus, but A. tenuissimus 

 and A. Sprengori have their admirers — in fact 

 all the Cape species are saleable — though the 

 first-named pays better than any. Eaising from 

 seeds is the best form of propagation. Division 

 of old stools is a slow method, and to be resorted to only when seeds are not avail- 

 able. Good now seeds of A. plumosus nanus and A. Sprengcri cost roughly about Is. 

 per dozen, and few of these, if sown in the spring, fail to germinate in brisk, moist 

 heat. From thumb pots, in which the seedlings are first placed, shift into the 5-inch 

 size, and grow the plants in a temperature of 55° to 65°, shading from the sun. They 

 will make good progress on an ash-covered stage. Before the plants become much 

 root-bound, it should be decided what method of culture is to be adopted. The plants 

 succeed well in 10-inch pots, the growths being trained up the roof of a house with 

 eucharises, ferns, or palms underneath. They thrive still better if planted out 



