158 
August, 1889 . 
ORCH RRD 
GARDE 
Flcns Parcelli. 
The genus Ficus contains some very in- 
teresting subjects, the best known here be- 
ing the India Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica ) 
and the Fig of commerce ( F . Carta). The 
remarkable Banyan Tree of India (F. relig- 
iosa) is also a member of this genus, which is 
quite a large one. The India Rubber Tree 
is well known, and 
verycommonly grown 
as a pot plant for the 
sake of its large.hand- 
some foliage. It is 
usually confined to a 
single stem by grow- 
ing it in a compara- 
tively small pot, and 
in this way it may be 
kept in fairly good 
condition for several 
years. As it is most- 
ly dormant during 
the winter (unless 
kept in a strong heat) 
it is largely used as an 
ornamental plant for 
the sitting room. The 
foliage should be oc- 
casionally sponged. 
It is propagated from 
cuttings and from sin- 
gle eyes with a leaf 
attached. 
The commercial 
Fig(F. Curia) so large- 
ly used in a dried 
state, is hardy at the 
South, and may be 
grown as far North 
as New York with a 
light protection dur- 
ing the winter. To 
facilitate covering, it 
must be trained low, 
so as to be easily laid 
down. In this way 
it has been quite 
largely grown out-of- 
doors for many years 
on Staten Island, N. 
Y., and even as far up the Hudson Riveras 
Newburgh. It may be grown in tubs al- 
most anywhere, being stored in a cool cel- 
lar during winter, and is worth the trouble, 
which really does not amount to much. 
The object of this article, however, is 
chiefly to call attention to Ficus Parcelli. a 
handsome hot-house plant, of which the 
accompanying illustration is an excellent 
portrait. The variegation in this plant is 
strikingly beautiful. There are few plants 
in which it is so constant, profuse, and 
well marked. The fruits are very prettily 
striped with pink in addition to the white 
mottling which pervades the whole plant. 
It makes a handsome dwarf, round-headed 
plant if somewhat restricted in the matter 
of potting, but needs the temperature and 
moisture of a hot-house to fully develop 
and maintain its characteristic beauty. — P. 
B. Mead. 
Floral Talk for August. 
Fuchsias Mrs. Marshall and speciosa are 
probably the two most useful Fuchsias 
grown. They certainly are for the ama- 
teur. There are others more beautiful in 
bloom, but we know of no others so con- 
stantly in flower from the beginning to the 
end of the year. 
Ficus Parcelli. Fig. 938. 
The Japan Lilies are too often left to take 
care of themselves. They should all be tied 
to neat stakes. They do very well till the 
flower buds appear; but these soon get to 
be so large and heavy that they are borne 
to the ground unless they have some sup- 
port, and a rain will then mar the bloom 
beyond recovery. It is a pity to see the 
most beautiful of all Lilies treated with so 
much neglect. 
There are many things that may be done 
in August that will lighten the labors of 
September, but which are too often defer- 
red. There are some rather disagreeable 
things that we dislike to do till we are com- 
pelled to; but it is just as well to look ahead 
a little. There is always something to do; 
but perhaps you can find time to prepare 
a little earth for potting, sort over and 
clean the pots, make some stakes, and do 
many other little things of a like kind 
which you will find very handy when you 
come to repotting, putting down cuttings, 
staking plants for the house, and so on, in 
September. 
The charming Japan Iris has bloomed 
splendidly. In fact, the whole Iris family 
came out with unusually fresh and bright 
colors. The seaso’ 
has seemed to sui 
them. The Japan Iri 
is still but little 
known, except to pro- 
fessional florists, 
which is much to be 
regretted, since it is 
not only very beauti- 
ful, but greatly pro- 
longs the season, as it 
comes into flower 
just after the common 
garden Iris has quite 
disappeared. A visit, 
at the time of bloom- 
ing, to some nursery 
where the Japan Iris 
is grown in quantity, 
would enable one to 
select colors to suit 
his taste, and save 
something in expense, 
for named varieties 
are still high priced, 
and will probably not 
be much lower until 
there is a greater de- 
mand for them, and 
this demand can only 
be created by making 
them better known. 
Those who have 
grown them should 
write about them. 
There are many 
people who grow an- 
nuals who do not re- 
alize half the pleasure 
they are capable of 
yielding. One very 
common error is sowing the seed too thick 
and not thinning out and transplanting. 
Beautiful effects may be produced by grow- 
ing some things in masses; but even these 
need some room for development. There is 
some difference, however, between massing 
and jamming, if the expression may be al- 
lowed. Some plants never develop their 
full beauty unless grown singly, and these 
should always be transplanted. What is to 
be expected of a plant that needs from one 
to two feet of clear space all around it (and 
sometimes more) which is scarcely given 
a hair’s breadth ? Thin out and transplant, 
and while doing so think of your poor 
