TENDER BORDER AND BEDDING PLANTS. 339 
is a Mexican species, bearing white, pink or violet fragrant 
flowers in August ; and M. multiflora, a Californian species 
with purple flowers. These require the same treatment as M. 
Jalapa. Increased by seeds sown in heat in spring, and the 
seedlings planted out in May to flower late in summer. 
Musa. (Banana). — The Musas are tropical plants, with 
large handsome leaves, and occasionally used for the summer 
decoration of the garden. M. Ensete is the only species suit- 
able for the purpose, and this belongs to the Canna family 
(Scitamiaceae). It grows ioft. high or more, and has leaves 
often ioft. long and 3 to 4ft. wide. The plants are usually put 
outdoors in June and brought into a warm house again in early 
October. They may be grown in pots, and the latter plunged 
to their rims in mixed beds of tropical plants or in the turf 
of the lawn ; or planted out in June, lifted in September, their 
leaves drawn together in a bundle and secured thus, and the 
plants packed closely together in a warm house, the roots 
being simply covered with mats or cocoanut-fibre refuse. When 
outdoors grow in a warm sheltered position. 
Nertera (Bead Plant; Fruiting Duck-weed). — The only 
species grown is N. depressa, a dwarf plant with minute 
leaves and creeping stems, furnished with small orange-red 
berries. It is much used for carpet bedding, but is also 
adapted for growing on a moist ledge of a partially shaded 
rockery. Will grow in ordinary soil. For carpet bedding 
plants should be reared from seed in heat in spring and 
the seedlings transplanted thickly in small pots and grown 
in a shady part of the house. A better way still to get up a 
stock of plants is to divide old plants into small portions and 
pot these off in spring. When the plants flower place them 
on a shelf near the glass and do not allow water to fall on 
the flowers, then berries will set freely. Tufts of this plant, 
well berried, have a charming effect when esconced in a 
setting of silvery-grey Antennaria. The plant belongs to the 
Woodruff order (Rubiaceae). 
Nicandra. — N. physaloides, the only species grown, 
belongs to the Nightshade order (Solanaceae), is a native of 
Peru, bears pretty blue and white flowers in summer, and grows 
i8in. to 2ft. high. It is a showy half-hardy annual for a sunny 
border. Sow seeds in heat in February, transplant the seed- 
lings a few inches apart in boxes of light soil, harden them 
off in May and plant out 2ft. apart in June. 
Nicotiaha (Tobacco). — A genus of half-hardy annuals, 
natives of America, and members of the Nightshade order 
(Solanaceae). Some of the species are grown for their handsome 
