212 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ September 
base, parallel-sided, with tbe apex irregularly lobate ; some liave the apex regu¬ 
larly three-lobed, with short entire lobes ; some are deeply three-lobed, being 
divided nearly to the base, the segments themselves, of which the centre one 
is largest, being shallowly sinuate-lobed, and occasionally the secondary lobes 
are themselves sinuately toothed. This variety of form, and the rich colouring 
of the polished surface, render this one of the most effective coloured-leaved 
plants of recent introduction ; and there is not the slightest tendency in the 
colouring to vary or fade, so that the effect produced is a permanent one.” 
Whether or not these Artocarpads will thrive in the sub-tropical garden during 
summer, can only be ascertained by experiment, and the present season is not 
favourable for the trial; added to which, they are yet too costly to be thus risked. 
If they succeed, they will give us some of the finest plants used for this style of 
gardening. If they do not, and their culture is confined to the hothouse, the form 
and colouring of the leaves will still render them pleasing and ornamental. 
Of A. laciniata , the Messrs. Veitch state that it is an interesting and distinct 
stove-plant, from the South Sea Islands, received through their correspondent, 
Mr. Baptist, of Sydney. It is of free growth and very distinct, both on account 
of its deeply-lobed leaves and bright glossy colouring. The size of the largest 
leaves is at present 13 in. in length, and 9 in. in width, but they will probably 
become much larger as the plants attain strength. Of the variety A. laciniata 
metallica they state, that it was imported from the same source, and is of similar 
habit, but with very differently coloured foliage. The leaves have a glossy 
bronzy lustre above, tinged with a deep red, which imparts to it a tone of colouring 
that will secure for the plant general favour. In their present stage of develop¬ 
ment, as compared with Mr. Bull’s plant, these forms of A. laciniata are some¬ 
what more divided, or rather, perhaps, show none of the less divided leaves of 
A. Cannoni, which latter, again, is the deeper-coloured.—T. Moore. 
THE GARDEN BROOM, AND HOW TO USE IT. 
« HE out-door garden Broom or Besom is so important an implement, that I 
propose to offer a few practical remarks on its construction, and on the 
vAA' economical and practical way in which it should be put to work. There 
TG is some little common-sense and science required even in the make-up of a 
besom, and in the method of working it, just as there is in making a mouse-trap, 
and setting it so that it will readily catch a mouse. 
In the year 1842, when the late Mr. Loudon visited me at Bicton Gardens, 
some of the first things he observed, were the shape of my garden brooms, and 
the economy of time and the great saving of strength and labour secured by 
their use ; and he requested me to furnish him with a model, to be figured in his 
Gardener’s Magazine for the year 1842, where my account of it was published. I 
observe, however, that very heavy, ill-shaped bundles are still made up as brooms, 
and used for out-door sweeping ; while the awkward, unworkmanlike way in which 
the broom is handled, by many who profess to be sweeping, is quite astounding, 
