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FICUS STIPULATA. 



Ficus stipulate,, better known horticulturally as F. re pens (sometimes called 

 "Mauritius Ivy"), is perhaps the best substitute we have in the tropics for the 

 English ivy, which forms so delightful an adornment to gardens and country 

 housps in Europe and other cool countries. In the tropics, where the ivy does 

 not flourish, the want of a good wall creeper is often felt. Pew walls, either of 

 bungalows, estate baildings, churches, &c., which would not be greatly improved 

 in appearance by the growth of a suitable creeper. This want is suitably supplied 

 by the plant Ficus repens, as may be seen in the accompanying illustration, better 

 perhaps than by any other tropical plant known. The plaut thrives equally well 

 at all elevations, from sea-level to 6,000 feet, — an uncommon quality which 

 specially commends it to favour. It is easily propagated from small cuttings 

 of the rooting stems, and these have only to be inserted in ordinary light soil where 

 they are intended to grow permanently. This should be done in wet weather, other- 

 wise the cuttings must be kept shaded and watered frequently nctil they strike 

 root, which may be known by the appearance of fresh growth. lu a short time it 

 spreads over the available surface, and it may be said to be seen at its best just 

 before it completely covers the wall. Afterwards it should be occasionally 

 trimmed with a hedge shears, clipping off any straggling ends of branches, &c. 



This plant is remarkable from the fact that although a perfect creeper, it 

 belongs to a genus which is usually characterized by large trees or shrubs. Familiar 

 examples of the family are the Pig ( Ficus carica), the Banyan, and the Rambong 

 rubber trees — Ficu* hengalensis and Ficus elastica respectively. 



Ficus repens occasionally bears an abundance of fig-like hard green fruits, 

 which are not edible. The plant is considered to be a native of China and Japan, 

 but is very similar to, if not identical with, Ficus Thwaitesii of Ceylon. 



H. P. MACMILLAN. 



