MARKET PLANTS. — GARDENIAS — GREVILLEA. 



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case of pterises and adiantums, two plants of which arc frequently placed together in 

 5 -inch pots — this meaning a considerable gain in timo in having them ready for sale. 

 Clear them out directly the plants are large enough for the purpose for which they are 

 intended, and occupy the space thus liberated with fresh stock. Fern raising and 

 growing goes on all the year round, to meet the enormous demand for these always 

 popular plants. 



GARDENIAS. 



These ought to be grown thoroughly well, or let alone altogether. A few odd plants 

 are seldom seen in a profitable condition. Gardenias should be grown strongly in a 

 brisk, stove temperature, receiving, when well established, abundance of water at the 

 roots and frequent sprayings. If pot culture only is resorted to, it does not pay to keep 

 old plants. Gardenias succeed admirably planted in beds of gritty, peaty soil, over a 

 hot-air chamber, always provided they are shaded from strong sun, properly watered, 

 and kept free from mealy bug. They are thus grown as shown in the illustration 

 (Fig. 180) in the gardens of the Queen, with stephanotis overhead. The large flower on 

 the right is a crinum, sent from Ashanti by the late Prince Henry of Battenberg. 

 Gardenia radicans major is the more floriferous variety, but G. florida major, or inter- 

 media (page 340, Vol. II.), produces the finer flowers. They should be cut with 

 a few clean leaves attached, and packed carefully in small deal boxes holding about 1 1 

 dozen blooms. During the summer months they often sell at the rate of Is. per dozen, 

 but, when less plentiful, double that price is obtained. 



GREVILLEA. 



Neat plants of G. robusta, about one foot high, in 4-iuch or 5-inch pots, frequently 

 sell at 6s. to 8s. per dozen, and find the readiest sale in Provincial towns. New seed 

 sown in February is not slow or uncertain in germination, and the seedlings may 

 easily be grown to a saleable size by the autumn — first in light greenhouse then in 

 frames during the summer. This plant can be recommended for house decoration 

 where gas is burnt. It is elegant in habit, with fern-like leaves, and is suitable for 

 vases in rooms. 



HYDRANGEAS. 



Londoners seem to have a partiality for sturdy single-stemmed plants, each fur- 

 nished with one large head of bloom. H. hortensis is best adapted to this form of 



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