188 SUBTROPICAL PLANTS FOR THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



planted in a dwarf and young state^ it is likely to give more 

 satisfaction than if planted out when old and tall. The 

 lower leaves spread widely out near the ground,, and then 

 it is presentable throughout the summer. Prefer therefore 

 dwarf stocky plants when planting it in early summer. It 

 should have rich^ deep soil and plenty of water during the 

 hot summer months. The open air of our country suits it 

 better than the stove, and chiefly no doubt because it is 

 very liable to the mealy bug when kept indoors ; in the free 

 air this pest is washed away by the rain. Tor the public 

 gardens of Paris it is kept underground in caves duj-ing the 

 winter; but in private gardens with us it will doubtless be 

 worthy of a place in the greenhouse throughout that season. 

 It is easily increased by cuttings of the root. It is usually 

 planted in masses^ edged with a dwarfer plant; but as a 

 small group in the centre of a bed of flowers^ or even as an 

 isolated specimen in a like position, it is capital. The stems 

 of this plant have a very fine pure white pith^ which, when 

 cut into thin strips and otherwise prepared, forms the article 

 known as rice paper. It is rare for a plant to be so useful 

 both in an ornamental and economic sense. 



Acacia lophantha. — This elegant plant, though not 

 hardy, is one of those which all may enjoy, from the free- 

 dom with which it grows in the open air in summer. It 

 will prove more useful for the flower garden than it has 

 ever been for the houses, and, being easily raised, is 

 entitled to a place here among the very best. The elegance 

 of its leaves and its quick growth in the open aii' make it 

 quite a boon to the flower gardener who wishes to establish 

 graceful verdure amongst the brighter ornaments of his 

 parterre. It will furnish the grace of a fern, while close 

 and erect in habit, thus enabling us to closely associate it 

 with flowering plants without in the least shading them — 

 except from ugliness. Of course I speak of it in the young 

 and single stemmed condition, the way in which it should 

 be used. By confining it to a single stem and using it in 

 a young state, you get the fullest size and grace of which 

 the leaves are capable. Allow it to become old and 

 branched and it may be useful, but by no means so much. 



