202 SUBTROPICAL PLANTS FOR THE PLOWER GARDEN. 



is true we require a bed of very rich deep earth under it to 

 make it attain such dimensions and beauty ; but in all 

 parts^ and with ordinary attention^, it grows well. In warm 

 countries^ in which the plant is very widely cultivated it 

 becomes a small tree, but is much prettier in the state in 

 which it is seen with us — i.e., with an unbranched stem, 

 clothed from top to bottom with noble leaves. Soon after 

 it betrays a tendency to develope side-shoots, the cold 

 autumn comes and puts an end to all further progress j and 

 so much the better, because it is much handsomer in a 

 simple-stemmed state than any other. The same is true 

 of not a few other large-leaved plants — once they break 

 into a number of side-shoots their leaf beauty is to a great 

 extent lost. In the planting out of some other subjects, it 

 has been considered well to raise the beds on lime-rubbish, 

 &c., or in other words, to build them upon it, sloping up 

 the edge with soil and turf. But to grow this to perfection, 

 the best way is to deeply excavate the bed, and place some 

 rich stuff in the bottom, making all the earth as rich as 

 possible. It is as easily raised from seed as the common 

 bean, requiring, however, to be raised in heat. The Ricinus 

 is a grand plant for making bold and noble beds near those 

 of the more brilliant flowers, and tends to vary the flower 

 garden finely. It is not well to closely associate it with 

 bedding plants, in consequence of the strong growth and 

 shading power of the leaves, so to speak. It is a good plan 

 to make a compact group of the plant in the centre of some 

 wide circular bed and surround it with a band of a dwarfer 

 subject, say the Aralia or Caladium, and then finish with 

 whatever arrangement of the flowering plants may be most 

 admired. A bold and striking centre may be obtained, while 

 the effect of the flowers is much enhanced, especially if the 

 planting be nicely graduated and tastefully done. It is 

 a judicious combination of both the green and the gay 

 that we are most in want of, and few things can do so much 

 to effect it for us in the flower garden as the common Castor- 

 oil plant. This combination may be eftected in any way 

 that taste may direct. A graceful handsome-leaved subject 

 in the centre of a flower bed will help it out, and so will 



