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REMARKS ON FICUS STIPULATA. 
This very interesting- evergreen creeper, to succeed well and show itself in 
proper character, should be planted in a good-sized pot or in a border, and allowed to 
run of its own accord without training- over any part of the back wall or rafters of 
the stove ; but that part where the greatest degree of moisture prevails suits it best, 
where with proper treatment it grows very rapidly, and has an extremely novel and 
interesting appearance, the dark glossy leaves and wild profuse character of the 
branches give it quite an air of elegance. If the wall to which it is permitted to 
grow be kept constantly damp, it thrives amazingly, and attaches itself to the 
mortar, stones, or wood, as firmly as ivy to the bark of a tree, by means of little 
wire-like roots, which are sent out in great numbers in all directions from the 
branches ; these roots feed upon the atmosphere to such an extent, that after the 
plant is established on the wall, it derives very little support from those in the soi] ; 
sometimes the upper parts of the branches are seen with leaves so much larger than 
those on the lower parts, that any one unacquainted with the fact would scarcely 
believe them to be produced by the same plant. The soil best for it is good open 
loam and peat : rooted plants may be taken off at any time without injury. It is 
not much infested with insects, although the common enemies of the stove delight 
to feed upon its juices, but if frequently washed with the syringe these enemies will 
not do any harm. Although the species 
is said to produce fruit much like the com- 
mon fig (see figure) just before it begins to 
ripen, we have not heard from any quarter 
of a plant upon which fruit has been seen 
in this country, and we believe under the 
common method of cultivation it will not 
readily fruit. And certainly a large plant 
spreading itself over the back wall of a 
stove, bearing even a small quantity of 
fruit, would have a very novel and beautiful 
appearance. If a large strong-growing plant 
was to be deprived of water in the winter 
in a low temperature, to such a degree as 
not to endanger its life, it would very 
likely, the following season when re-excited, 
show a quantity of fruit, which with care- 
ful management would, no doubt, come to maturity.' It would at 
amiss to make the trial. 
