26 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 11, 1894. 
arrangement of the leaf around the flower which adds so much to 
its beauty. Common and cheap as is this little flower, it is a great 
favourite of mine, and, in addition to my former stock, about two years 
ago I planted a clump in front of my sitting-room window, so that 
when the weather did not permit of venturing outside, one’s eyes might 
be gladdened by the sight of these little cups of gold. Its name 
in Miller’s time was the “ Winter Wolfsbane,” and it is only 
indulging a slight play of fancy to think of it as a very bane to 
the dullness so apt to haunt us in these short days. 
But among the flowers of the season, peerless stand the Christ¬ 
mas Roses with their beautiful flowers, which for all their beauty 
seem to be cold and to lack the enticements of some other flowers 
which endear themselves to us by other charms than those possessed 
by this queen of the outdoor flowers of winter. Cold as it seems, 
the Christmas Rose is very beautiful, and a large clump covered 
with flowers and protected by a handlight from stormy weather 
will give much pleasure and will dwell long in one’s memory. All 
around the early flowers are piercing through the dark soil, holding 
forth the promise of longer and brighter days, which shall assuredly 
bring fair and welcome blossoms in their train and reveal to us 
once more the charms of that season of pleasure to the lover of 
early flowers—spring.—S. Arnott, Dumfries. 
[Since the foregoing article was put in type Mr. Arnott writes 
"that on W^ednesday, 3rd inst., the weather, which had been mild, 
changed, and frost with occasional flakes of snow succeeded. 
The frost has been verj'^ severe, and on Friday night, the 5th inst., an 
inch of snow fell. On Monday, the 8th inst., the wind shifted from 
east and north to south-east, and there was bright sunshine.] 
HINTS ON INDOOR DECORATION, 
The introduction of plants of various descriptions into the 
dwelling rooms of the wealthy in the land, adds so much to their 
beauty from an artistic point of view that no house of pretension 
can be considered complete unless a few well selected plants are 
arranged in suitable positions in its principal apartments. Time was 
when plants suitable for the purpose were comparatively limited in 
variety, and so long as they supplied the requisite colours the form 
of their outline was a matter of secondary consideration. 
The advancing taste of the present generation brought about a 
gradual change, and beauty of form began to be considered of 
•equal importance to that of colour. This growing taste created a 
demand for plants which were graceful and elegant in outline. The 
demand quickly received attention, and by the aid of indefatigable 
collectors in distant lands, as well as hybridists at home, our gardens 
now abound in plants which are as highly prized on account of their 
graceful forms as are others for their bright or delicately coloured 
flowers. With plenty of these materials at command, combined with 
originality and taste in conception, as well as skill in execution, the 
stately halls and luxurious rooms of the castle or the mansion may 
be made veritable temples of artistic beauty. I do not mean to infer 
•by this that a lavish display of plants is by any means desirable ; on 
the contrary, I think the tendency of the present day errs in the 
direction of employing too many plants in the embellishment of 
dwelling rooms, which should never be made to vie in this matter 
with the conservatory proper. TUe effect I have above described 
should be mainly produced by the judicious disposal of plants which 
vary in size and boldness of outline according to the dimensions of 
the rooms in which they are placed. A strict attention to the proportion 
and colours of surroundings is to my mind the foundation of success 
in plant decoration of all kinds. 
Perhaps no class of plants contribute so much toward the pro¬ 
duction of a striking effect as the various species and varieties of 
Palms, a good stock of which is essential if the work is to be well 
done. For placing in entrance halls Palms of large size are exceed¬ 
ingly effective. Those with long arching leaves are preferable ; 
but in all instances where plants of considerable dimensions are 
employed they ought to have a good length of straight stem below 
the fronds, so that the view across the structure be not greatly 
impeded. Chamserops Fortune! or Thrinax elegans when they have 
grown to this condition are useful for the purpose, the first named 
lasting in good condition in unfavourable positions longer than most 
Palms. Seaforthia elegans was at one time our most effective Palm 
for use ill a large state, its great weakness being that it did not 
last well. Now, however, that Kentias are becoming plentiful the 
Seaforthias are being gradually driven out of the field. One or more 
of these Kentias placed in large entrance halls in positions where 
lounges and settees can be grouped around the base produce a far 
more striking effect than numbers of smaller plants. If flowering 
plants are required in this apartment, it is an excellent plan to arrange 
them in window boxes or jardiniere, fitted with tins, and placed in 
the window recesses. In some instances there are corners which 
seem especially adapted for groups of plants ; when this is the case 
shallow tins should be made to fit into the corners and extend as far 
as it is desirable to form the group. To add finish to the outline 
of such groups, and hide the pots, I know of nothing better than 
rustic pieces of oak fastened together in such a way as to appear 
interwoven, and stained or varnished so as to resemble the woodwork 
around. 
Turning to the drawing room or the library, which are generally 
large, there is plenty of scope for making a good display without 
causing the plants to appear too obtrusive. There is usually some 
position in which tall slender Palms from 5 to 7 feet in height can 
be arranged with marked effect. When the width of the rooms will 
admit of the use of Palms with long arching fronds Kentias answer 
the purpose admirably. In many instances, however, height is 
required without a great spread of leaves, then Areca glaucophylla 
and Cocos plumosa will be found both useful and effective. Palms 
of smaller sizes if arranged on pedestals have the necessary height 
without unduly impeding the view across the room. A few Palms 
dotted about at irregular intervals add much to the general effect of 
a well-arranged room. Rustic baskets arranged with small Ferns 
in pots, and whatever floweringi plants are in season, and placed 
in well chosen positions, sometimes on pedestals beneath the Palms, 
supply the opportunities for effecting tasteful arrangements which 
will bear minute inspection. In addition to these, a few vases should 
be set apart for single specimens of flowering plants, such as Erica 
hyemalis, the very beautiful varieties of Epacris, Azalea mollis, 
Begonias, Ivy-leaved and Zonal Pelargoniums, as the season for each 
in turn comes round. The appearance of these embellished rooms is 
then ever changing, and always beautiful. 
Some of the choicest materials should be reserved for the 
adornment of the boudoir. It is seldom that large plants of any 
kind are admissible here. Among Palms, Cocos Weddelliana, 
Geonoma gracilis, and Euterpe edulis are, on account of their 
graceful habit, perhaps the best. Phmnix rupicola, while it still 
retains some of its strap-shaped leaves, is both novel and effective, 
especially when placed on a rather high pedestal. Eulalias japonica 
and variegata are also excellent plants for decorative work. Orna¬ 
mental stands of various devices, provided with tins for holding 
groups of plants in pots, are frequently used in the boudoir. At 
the present time these may be effectively filled with Roman 
Hyacinths, Lily of the Valley, Tulips, Fuchsias, intermingled with 
small Palms, plants of Curculigo recurvata, Cyperus alternifolius, 
Pteris and Maidenhair Ferns. Where several of these are in use 
it is well to use only one colour in the arrangement of each. 
Brackets having cavities in the centre large enough to admit of 
small Ferns being placed in them, when thus filled look well 
disposed around the walls, so also do small china receptacles filled 
with Ferns and placed in suitable positions on tables or brackets. 
In carrying out this as well as all other kinds of decorative 
work, one great point to aim at is to study the taste and wishes of 
those whom our efforts are intended to delight; in doing this we 
shall learn much that will enable us to rise to higher flights of 
artistic conception, while we are also striving to do that which means 
so much to all true Britons—viz., our duty.—H. Dunkin, Castle 
Gardens, WarioicTc . 
CROTONS IN WINTER. 
Apart from the beauty which these foliage plants possess during 
the summer, they are a great attraction during the dull days of winter. 
Their brightness and richness of foliage render them most desirable 
objects, and especially when they can be viewed en masse in a house. 
Messrs. Kerr & Sons, Aigburth, Liverpool, have long been famed for 
their collection of Crotons, but I hardly expected to see such a sight as 
that which I beheld on that memorable day—November 17th last— 
when a terrific gale blew over the country, and especially over the 
nursery in question. To be inside a large span-roofed house, full of the 
choicest varieties of this foliage plant, and with such a guide as Mr. 
Ranger, their manager, made one almost forget for the time that I ought 
to have been crossing the Irish Channel at that moment. 
The varieties that most attracted my attention were the under¬ 
mentioned :—Musaicus, medium-sized foliage, very richly variegated 
with carmine red. Baron Frank Selliere has rich red foliage. Flamingo 
was especially showy, the centre of the leaves red, edged with a darker 
tint. Aigburthiensis belongs to the narrow-leaved section, the leaves 
mainly a bright primrose yellow, of a very free branching habit. 
Mortefontainensis, the foliage of this is fiddle-shaped, is richly variegated 
with deep crimson and red ; the habit of growth is excellent. Carrier! 
may best be described as a yellow Weismanni, it having more of that 
colour than this old favourite. Thomson! has large fiddle-shaped leaves, 
golden yellow, with narrow green margin. Hanburyanus is one of the 
large-leaved pale coloured varieties, but very handsome. 
Golden Ring is quite one of the best of the narrow'-leaved section, 
especially for table decoration ; the foliage is so beautifully mottled and 
marbled, the long semi-drooping leaves render it a handsome variety. 
