SUBTROPICAL PLANTS EOR THE FLOWER GARDEN. 203 



bold groups of fine-leaved plants towards tlie outer parts of 

 tlie flower garden. These bold masses connect in some 

 degree the larger ligneous vegetation that usually surrounds 

 our flower gardens with the small and low-lying brilliant 

 flowers. For such groups the varieties of the Castor-oil 

 plant are not likely to be surpassed. 



Seaforthia elbgans. — This is perhaps the most elegant 

 and useful of all palms which may be safely placed out in 

 summer. It is too scarce as yet to be procurable by horti- 

 culturists generally, but should be looked for by all who take 

 an interest in these matters, and have a house in which to 

 grow it. It stands well ia the conservatory during the 

 winter, though generally kept in the stove, where of course 

 it grows beautifully. There are hardier kinds — the dwarf 

 fan palm for example, but on the whole none of them are so 

 valuable as this. The following palms are suitable for like 

 purposes : — Areca lutescens, Caryota urens, Caryota sobo- 

 lifera, Chamserops humilis, Chamserops Fortunei, Chamserops 

 Palmetto, Latania borbonica. Phoenix dactylifera. Phoenix 

 sylvestris, Corypha australis. 



The Solanums. — This family, so wonderfully varied, 

 affords numerous 

 species that look 

 fine and imposing 

 in leaf when in a 

 young and free- 

 growing state. In 

 the nursery gar- 

 den of the city of 

 Paris there is a 

 very large house 

 entirely devoted 

 to the family, in 

 which are pre- 

 served over the 

 winter months 

 more than sixty 

 species for the 

 embellishment of 



Fm. 72. 



Solanum Warscewiczii. 



