370 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ORNAMENTAL STOVE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 



By Mr. James Hudson, F.R.H.S. 



[Bead August 11, 1891. J 



When we give a backward glance over the past twenty-five 

 years in its relation to horticulture in general, we may well be 

 astonished at the progress which has been made in all departments. 

 If so many flowering plants have not been introduced into pro- 

 minent notice during that period from other and remote regions 

 of the globe, it cannot be said that there has been any lack of new 

 and distinct additions to those grown for the value attached to 

 them as plants of ornamental leafage. Not only by fresh importa- 

 tions has this been accomplished, but the efforts of the hybridist 

 have been most amply rewarded by the valuable and varied 

 contributions to many families of plants. Take, for instance, such 

 as the Nepenthes, the Sarracenias, the Caladiums, the Dracaenas, 

 the Crotons, and also the Coleus. No one will, I think, deny 

 that there has been a distinct advance made in the new varieties 

 added to each of the genera just named, as well as to others. 

 This increase, both by importations of new plants and by the 

 raising of others, has led undoubtedly to a far more extended 

 system of culture for varied purposes. Plants are used now in 

 so many ways, and with decided advantage also, as compared 

 with a quarter of a century back. This demand has been fostered 

 and well met by our large and well-known trade-growers, who 

 supply plants for all purposes. It has, however, taxed the 

 resources of the gardener in many a private establishment to a 

 considerable extent in keeping up the requisite supply of what 

 are usually termed "decorative plants," of which those with 

 ornamental foliage form a most considerable portion. 



Embracing the period I have just named, I think that by far 

 the most important feature has been the vast increase in the 

 cultivation of Palms, which are now raised by tens of thousands 

 and employed in various ways. It requires no great effort of 

 the memory to revert to the time when in some establishments 

 Palms were rarely seen, with the exception of a few of specimen 

 size. They are peculiarly adapted to purposes of ornamenta- 

 tion, whether it be in the conservatory, the mansion, or the 

 open air. Nothing lends such a tropical appearance as Palms of 

 noble proportions, whilst for elegance of outline they are excelled 



