176 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ August, 
vigour of its branches. A few strong shoots will call up more root-action, and 
establish more constitutional vigour, than almost any number of weaker ones. 
By reducing the number of shoots to the lowest limit that will suffice to clothe 
our walls, we as it were narrow the volume of the stream of life, and thus 
quicken its speed, and add mightily to its force ; both of which are especially 
needful this season, if our trees are to recoup their strength before winter, or push 
forth and ripen wood enough to ensure a crop next year.— D. T. Fish, F.R.H.S. 
DINNER-TABLE DECORATION. 
Pandanus—Croton. 
*HE preparation of plants for the decoration of the table is a work of the 
greatest importance in most establishments, not only entailing on the 
cultivator a great amount of forethought in their production, but also 
taxing to the utmost his artistic taste in their arrangement. It is difficult 
to suggest any rule as an absolute guide, as so much depends on the size and 
garniture of the dining-room, and the style of ornaments placed on the table. It 
must, however, be borne in mind that a well-selected choice of plants and flowers 
of graceful form will give the most satisfaction, and that stiff dense-growing 
plants should be avoided, since they lack that elegance of character that is sought 
for in table decoration. 
Such plants as Pandanus javanicus variegatus and Croton angustifo'lium , 
for instance, are very desirable forms with drooping foliage; and to these I will 
for the present confine myself, by offering a few practical remarks on their 
management. Both are plants of free growth, and in treating them for table- 
embellishment, the chief difficulty is to restrict their growth, and at the same 
time to develop the highest colour possible in their foliage. 
In the case of the Pandanus , I have found that this is most easily.attained by 
cutting over the plants in succession, so as to induce suckers, which they freely 
produce. After they have made a growth of about six inches in length, the soil 
is shaken from the roots, the suckers are sliced off with a small portion of the 
roots attached to each, and then potted into 3-in. pots, in a compost of two-thirds 
peat, one-third loam, with sand and charcoal added. They are afterwards 
plunged in bottom-heat, near to the glass, where they will soon establish them¬ 
selves, and may then be potted into 5-in. or 6-in. pots, and fully exposed to the 
sun, so as to ensure a sturdy growth. These small cuttings are much to be 
preferred to cuttings from larger plants, as they are more manageable, and make 
neater plants for the table. 
Much the same treatment is applicable in the growth of the Croton , which 
requires careful treatment to develop its character and leaf-markings when' 
young. Cuttings struck in autumn, and grown freely on, will make the best 
plants the following season for the table ; and having grown these plants in the 
most perfect condition, both as table plants and specimens, I may add that full 
