4?4 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
March 28,1895. 
The Aralia. 
This genus contains a number of plants that are 
much appreciated for their light and delicate 
foliage, which renders them so valuable for table 
decoration, those of special merit being A. Veitchii, 
A. Veitchii gracillima, and A. elegantissima. They 
succeed in good loam, peat, and silver sand, and may 
be propagated from cuttings taken and placed in a 
good bottom heat. Sometimes the choicer kinds are 
worked on stocks of A. reticulata, 'lhere are 
several species that succeed in a greenhouse tempera¬ 
ture, but the above and several others require the 
heat of the stove. 
Ananassa sativa variegata. 
This is simply a variegated form of A. sativa, the 
true Pine Apple, and belongs to the natural order, 
Bromeliaceae. It makes a capital table plant when 
well coloured. The plants should be confined with 
regard to pot room rather than over potted. For 
compost, a mixture of loam, peat, and silver sand 
will do. To use rich soil is not advisable, for while 
it encourages the plants to grow more rapidly, they 
lack that magnificently brilliant scarlet tint, for 
which it is so justly admired. A. Porteana is a later 
introduction, and is also most useful as a table 
plant. 
The genus Pandanus. 
This supplies a long list of handsome plants, which 
are generally known as the “Screw Pines,” on 
account of the screw-like formation of the foliage of 
some of them. P. Veitchii, P. javanicus variegatus, 
and P. utilis make excellent table plants when of a 
suitable size, and when too large for that purpose 
are of immense value for the filling of large vases 
for house decoration, &c. They should be potted in 
fibrous loam, and a stove temperature accorded 
them. 
Foliage Begonias. 
These are distinct from any other race of foliage 
plants, on account of their quaint, curiously-formed, 
and variously-marked leaves, which contrast so 
favourably and effectively with Ferns or other sub¬ 
jects of light and feathery habit when properly 
arranged. They may be easily propagated from 
leaves, which may be divided in several pieces, and 
inserted edgeways in pans or pots that have been 
thoroughly drained, and filled nearly up to the rim 
with peat and silver sand, space being allowed for a 
good layer of silver sand on the surface. Select 
well-matured leaves, as they are not so liable to 
damp off. The cutting pan should be placed in a 
shady position and protected from drip. As soon as 
the young plants make their appearance they should 
be potted off into small pots in a compost of loam, 
peat, a small portion of leaf mould, and silver sand. 
The plant will be benefited by watering with weak 
manure water when established. Shade from the 
sun and a stove temperature are also essentials. 
ClSSUS DISCOLOR 
is the most useful trailing stove foliage plant in 
cultivation. It was introduced to this country from 
Java, and being a rapid grower it is admirably suited 
for covering walls, or for training on a trellis. The 
plants are easily propagated from cuttings or from 
layers. The preparation compost should be of an 
open nature, anything retentive of moisture being 
injurious, and should consist of fibrous loam and 
peat. The plants when growing require a liberal 
supply of water at the roots, which necessitates 
perfect drainage so that the super-abundance of 
moisture may pass off without allowing the soil 
about the roots to become sour or stagnant. The 
plants are benefited by a weak manurial stimulant 
of some kind, and to ensure perfectly coloured foliage 
must not be subjected to strong sunshine. Another 
free-growiDg plant and one well worthy of culture is 
found in C. gloriosa, an introduction from Costa 
Rica. The Cissus is subject to all kinds of insects 
that in fest stove plants such as thrips, flies, mealy 
bug and scale. The free use of the syringe will keep 
the two former in check, but bug and scale must be 
emoved with the sponge. 
Palms 
and their decorative qualities are so widely known 
that they need no further comment. For general 
purposes, small or medium-sized plants are most in 
request. Many of the Palms are so accommodating 
that, if properly attended to with regard to water at 
the roots, they will keep in perfect condition in 
comparatively small pots. In addition to the high 
position in the esteem of the public they have gained 
as decorative foliage plants, they are also of 
important commercial value; Palm oil, so largely 
imported from the Western Coast of Africa, is 
obtained from Elaeis guineensis; Dates, which are 
used as a dessert fruit in this country, and form a 
staple part of the food of the Arabs of Northern 
Africa, are the produce of Phoenix dactylifera. 
Licuala acutifida produces the handsome walking- 
canes imported into this country under the name of 
“ Penang Lawyers.” The Oreodoxa oleracea is 
called the Cabbage Palm, as the undeveloped leaves 
are used as a vegetable when cooked. The Cocoa- 
nut, enormous quantities of which are imported into 
this country annually, is the produce of Cocos 
nucifera. 
The nuts of Attalea Cohune, from Central 
America, are used in the manufacturing of toys; 
Attalea funifera, from Brazil, yields the Piassaba 
fibre used for broom-making, whilst the nuts are 
utilised for making handles of doors, umbrellas, 
egg-cups, etc. Arenga saccharifera, from the Indian 
Archipelago, furnishes a fibre from which a kind of 
rope is manufactured, also brushes and various 
ornaments ; a great quantity of “ toddy ” and sugar 
is also obtained from this Palm, and is largely grown 
by the natives for this purpose. Phytelephas 
macrocarpa, found on the banks of the Magdalena, 
Columbia, supplies the well-known vegetable ivory, 
as the nuts are used as a substitute for ivory in the 
making of various articles. The first plants of the 
Ivory Palm known to this country were raised from 
seed sent over from America to Kew Gardens. I 
saw a noble specimen of [it growing in the large 
Palm house at Kew when I visited it some few years 
since. A walk through a Palm house such as the 
one at Kew is very instructive, for there may be 
seen in their true characters magnificent specimens 
of Palms of various kinds towering up in majestic 
grandeur above everything else, giving one an idea 
as to the marvellous proportions they attain in their 
native and tropical habitats. 
Areca lutescens, Cocos Weddeliana, C. plumosa, 
Geonoma gracilis, G. Schottiana, Kentia Belmoreana, 
Verschaffeltia splendida, and numerous others 
require stove temperature; but such plants as 
Rhopalostylis (Areca) sapida, Chamaerops excelsa. 
Cocos australis, Corypha australis, Kentia canter- 
buryana, Latania Borbonica, Seaforthias, etc., will 
succeed in a greenhouse or conservatory with a 
temperature ranging from 45 Q to 55S Fahr. The 
plants, when in a small state, should be potted in 
good loam and peat, but as they become larger less 
peat should be used. Pot firmly, and during the 
summer months syringe freely. Occasional water¬ 
ings with liquid manure will benefit established 
plants ; a sprinkling over the surface of the pots of 
Thomson's vine manure or Clay’s fertilisers, which 
should be worked into the soil with a pointed stick, 
will also produce good results. A moist atmosphere 
should be maintained during the growing season and 
shade given from the sun. 
The Nepenthes or Pitcher Plants. 
Here we have a curious and most interesting race of 
foliage plants. Most of them succeed best when 
they are grown in hanging baskets, those made of 
teak wood being the best. They require a warm 
stove temperature, with abundance of moisture, and 
shade from bright sunshine. The compost in which 
they are to be grown should consist of peat and 
chopped sphagnum moss. The continuation of the 
mid-rib of the leaves has a cord-like appendage 
which is capable of clinging to trees, &c. At the 
extremity a pitcher is produced, containing a sweet 
fluid, to gain which flies and other insects are 
tempted to enter, and are thus imprisoned. Mr. 
F. W. Burbidge, M.A., during his botanical explora¬ 
tions “ in Borneo,” visited that enormous mountain, 
“ Kina Balu,” where he tells us he found the 
Nepenthes in various stages of growth. “Clambering 
over shrubs and low trees, their stems throwing out 
roots into the mossy branches, and their great 
coloured urns depending from every leaf.” 
He says “ The great Nepenthes grow in a zone 
between 5,000 and 10,000 ft. in altitude, where there 
are rains every night. The bushes and undergrowth, 
together with the moss-covered branches of the 
dwarf trees, are always saturated with moisture.' 
So that it will be needless for me to say the Nepen¬ 
thes require abundance of water, indeed, they should 
never be allowed to get dry. They may be propa¬ 
gated from seed, as well as from offsets that are 
produced at the base of the shoots, which should be 
inserted in small pots, and plunged in moss or cocoa- 
nut fibre having a bottom-heat not lower than 70° 
Fahr. There are now numerous kinds in cultivation, 
many of which are garden hybrids. 
The Sarracenias, or Side Saddle Plants, 
are natives principally of the Northern States of 
America, and, like the Nepenthes, belong to the 
insectivorous section of plants. The pitchers of 
some of them are handsomely coloured. A compost 
of peat and sphagnum moss containing a few nodules 
of charcoal, will suit them admirably. The pots 
being thoroughly drained with clean potsherds. A 
close pit or frame is the most suitable accommoda¬ 
tion for the plants during the winter months, suffi¬ 
cient heat being given to exclude frost; but when 
the plants show signs of starting into growth in the 
spring they should be accorded a temperature from 
55°to6o° Fahr. The Sarracenia differs from the 
Nepenthes in the entire leaf being an elongated 
pitcher, which is supplied with a number of glands 
on the inside to secrete honey, to obtain which flies 
and other insects are tempted to enter the cunningly 
constructed pitcher, which has a covering of hairs 
inside, fixed point downwards, so that retreat for the 
insect is impossible. When a fly is caught a liquid 
is poured out into the pitcher, through which the 
decomposition of the fly is hastened and ultimately 
absorbed by the plant as nourishment. Sarracenias 
may be propagated by divisions of the plants in 
spring. 
Greenhouse Foliage Plants. 
In addition to those I have named as suitable for the 
stove, there are numerous " greenhouse foliage 
plants” deserving of culture. Of these several 
Aralias are highly decorative and of hardy constitu¬ 
tion, also Aspidistras, both green and variegated, be¬ 
sides many Dracaenas, amongst which D. australis, 
which is easily raised from seed sown in heat, is 
especially noteworthy. Eulalia japonica variegata 
is indispensable for grouping with other plants; 
Grevillea robusta is a useful table plant. To keep 
up a constant supply of suitably sized plants of this, 
a pinch of seed should be sown every spring. 
Roupala Pohlii (syn. corcovadensis) and R. elegant¬ 
issima are also valuable as table plants. Indeed, 
from the immense numbers of useful and beautiful 
plants, one might mention a great many others, but 
those already mentioned must suffice as examples. 
The incessant efforts of the hybridiser and the 
collector are making new and important additions 
to the even now long list of good decorative plants, 
so that without the aid of a single flower there may 
be harmoniously blended together a group of foliage 
plants, which, for variety and brilliancy of colouring, 
for lightness and elegance of form, and for pleasing 
effect, will vie with the choicest collection of flower¬ 
ing plants, whether they be stove, greenhouse, or 
Orchidaceous.— G. Camp, Culver, Exeter 
- n- 
Hardening Miscellany. 
STRAWBERRY STEVENS’ WONDER. 
Some years ago this variety was received by Mr. 
J. R. Stevens, Clayton Nursery, Hassocks, as a 
seedling without a name. He commenced growing 
it and increasing it to thoroughly test its qualities, 
and since then he has been discarding Sir Joseph 
Paxton to make room for the new comer, both for 
ordinary purposes and for forcing. It packs well 
and stands carriage to market as well as Sir Joseph 
Paxton. The leaves are small, dark green, plentiful, 
and remarkably dwarf, covering the soil in the pots. 
The fruits are large, bluntly conical, or sometimes 
lobed, and pale scarlet. The so-called seeds are 
darker in colour, and rather deeply embedded in 
the flesh. A dozen pots well loaded with fruit were 
exhibited at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural 
Society on the 12th inst., and they were stated by 
an eye witness to be only an average sample of 
some 4,000 fruiting plants to be seen at one and the 
same time a short time ago. A First-class Certifi¬ 
cate was awarded the variety. 
CALYPSO BOREALIS. 
Among the Orchidaceous plants that may easily be 
grown in the rock garden in a partially shaded 
position, this pretty littte plant should find a place. 
It is comparatively rare, however, that we come 
across it in ordinary collections of Alpine plants. 
This is all the more wonderful when we take into 
consideration the beauty of its flowers, which are 
