MARKET PLANTS.— VARIOUS, 



339 



large, pure white flowers at Christmas. Cut with long stems, they sell locally at Is. to 

 Is. 6d. per dozen, but the flowers do not travel well. Of the later varieties there are 

 few, if any, to surpass Bernard Andreas and A. Borsig. The plants are principally 

 imported as dug up out of pits, and should be placed in pots only just large enough to 

 hold the roots. They may remain in these pots two seasons, receiving only a small 

 shift at any time, pressing the soil down firmly. Keep them in gentle heat till the 

 young growth has been completed, and do not neglect them at any time. 



Deutzias. — The white sprays of flowers do not stand well after they are cut, but 

 small, well-flowered plants of D. gracilis find a fairly ready sale at 6s. per dozen. They 

 may bo imported, or raised from cuttings. Plant out till large enough to lift and 

 force. Head the plants down, if unsold, after flowering, and either re-pot or plant out. 

 Gentle heat is sufficient to bring them on. Easter is the best time to have a large 

 number of plants in flower. 



Dracaenas. — Largely grown for the markets, the hardier green-leaved varieties, 

 including indivisa, australis, Bruanti, congesta, discolor, and gracilis, are in the greatest 

 demand; well-furnished plants of these, in 5-inch pots, sell at 9s. to 12s. per dozen. Of 

 the coloured leaved stove varieties, the old Cooperi, terminalis and Fraseri still retain 

 their popularity, and mention may also be made of Alexander Laing, Lindeni, Lord 

 Wolseley, and Sanderiana. Good plants of these, and some others, fetch 2s. each. 



Ericas. — Floriferous heaths are made a speciality of by a limited number of growers, 

 who make them pay well, but novices seldom succeed in producing saleable plants. 

 Anything in the shape of fire-heat is injurious to ericas, and the water in many districts 

 does not agree with them. Among the most saleable kinds are, caffra, candidissima, 

 cerinthoides, coronata, gracilis autumnalis, hyemalis (Fig. 193), melanthera, persoluta 

 alba, ventricosa of sorts, and Wilmorei. They are sold by the trade, principally in 

 5-inch pots, at from 9s. to 18s. per dozen. Epacrises can scarcely be " given away " in 

 many districts. For cultural details see page 184, Vol. II. 



Ficus elastica. — The india-rubber plant well retains its popularity, standing the gas 

 well, but the variegated form does not sell so readily. Strong plants of the first-named, 

 in 5-inch pots, sell at 12s. to 15s. per dozen, those in 6-inch pots fetching from 21s. to 

 30s. per dozen. The prices for the variegated form are, respectively, 24s. to 30s. and 

 42s. Strong plants are the most quickly raised from tops, but long, firm, leafy growths 

 may bo cut up into as many pieces as there are leaves, and rooted singly in small pots 

 and brisk heat. 



