868 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
October 29, 1904. 
The Solanums. 
The numerous species are widely distributed, some requir¬ 
ing a warm temperature, while others are quite satisfied with 
an intermediate or cool one. The difference in, habit is also 
very marked, the species being soft-wooded, shrubby, or scan- 
dent, the latter forms being suitable for draping pillars. 
S. Cap sica,strum, the well-known “ Winter Cherry,” a.per¬ 
ennial shrub attaining a height of 2 ft., is commendable from 
its wealth of oval, brigh&ed, cherry-like fruit. It is a most 
desirable addition to conservatory plants during the winter. 
Tire greenhouse temperature is requisite at, any season. 
Another species distinguished for its fruit is S. Melongena, 
the Egg-plant. It, is an annual. The fruits are edible, white, 
yellow, or purple, and egg-shaped. They vary from 3 in. to 
9 in. in, length, and are much grown, in some' parts of India, for 
culinary purposes. Aubergines is the name by which they are 
best, known. They are said to have been cultivated in Arabia 
and India, before the middle ages, and in one of these countries 
are supposed! to have: originated. They are now grown in 
the Nile valley and on the coast of Guinea,, but, have only 
recently become favourites in this country for the table. 
They are used in the same manner as Tomato®. 
There are several varieties. The variety Ovigqrum has 
fruits identical in shape and colour to, a. lien’s, egg; they 
are not fit to eat, but are suitable foil decorative purposes. 
Seeds ought to be sown about the end of January in a 
temperature of from 65 deg. to 70 deg., and the seedlings 
shifted on till in 8-in. or 10-in. pots. In, these pots they 
can be fruited. Feeding with liquid is desirable. 
Solanum jasminoides is, 'a, strong greenhouse climber, 
having small leave® and large' pendulous trusses, of white 
flowers. It is a quick grower, a free flowerer, and con¬ 
tinue® to, bloom for 1 most of the year. To say it is superb 
is to under-estimate its value. 
S. Weodlandii is considered not only the best, of the 
tropical species, but, decidedly among the best of all 
climbers grown. It formsi magnificent, large clusters of 
blue-purple flower's, and blooms all summer. 
S. seat or t hianum is: also a blue, and a, free flowerer. In 
Edinburgh Botanic Gardens is a splendid plant, the multi¬ 
tude of flowers on which contain truly magnetic properties. 
Not the least of the species is Solanum tuberosum. 
Most readers have heard of the gardener who prided him¬ 
self on his knowledge of botanical names, and who, on 
being asked by a, visitor whom be was conducting through 
bis garden, “ if he possessed in his collection Solanum tubero¬ 
sum,” replied : “ Oh, no! A weed of a thing. I threw it all 
away.” 
In such a degree I am wiser than that man in knowing the 
name: of the Potato'; but its cultivation and qualities I leave 
my elders to discuss. 
Solanums succeed in, a good loamy soil, and do not object to 
manure. James P. Dickson. 
Acanthaceae. 
This is a natural order of herbs, or shrubs, chiefly tropical. 
It contains 1,500 species, many of which are found in various 
parts of Africa,, China,, tropical America,, and the East Indies, 
while a, few are only found in, Australia. The beautifully 
marked and spotted leaves and the rich coloured, flowers 
render this order doubly interesting. 
Propagation is 'effected by seed and cuttings. Spring is 
tih,e best tune to: insert, ]cuttlin,gs. After the plants have 
flowered they are cut; down, when young shoots will soon, ap¬ 
pear ,at the base. Seeds arei sown at almost any time during 
the summer. A good compost, consist,si of three part® loam, 
one of leaf ©oil, with a, small quantity of sand, and a, little 1 
peat may be added with advantage. 
Most of the plants are gross feeders, therefore should be 
given, good shifts' when potted; feeding with liquid manure 
is much appreciated by them when well rooted. It, is essen¬ 
tial that plants be not allowed to get into a starved condition, 
as they are liable to be attacked by mites, which cause the 
young leave®! to, curl up, and so' check growth. Should this 
appear, dip the plants at, .intervals of two or three days in 
flowersi of sulphur mixed with water. 
Aphelandra, isi a genus containing about fifty specie®, natives 
of the Western Tropic®; these are all useful plants, which 
should be grown in, the istovei. When, the flowers are ready 
to open,, it is: wise to transfer them to another warm house 
where ia, drier atmosphere prevail®; in so doing, the: life: of the 
flowers, will bei considerably prolonged. 
A. nitons i® a, dwarf plant, the leave® of which have a 
leathery texture, are: of a, dark shining green, on, the: upper 
surface, the lower surface being a beautiful jmrple. The 
flowers are orange and red, being produced on a, terminal 
spike about five or six inches long. 
A. squamosa and its varieties Leopoldi and Louisae are 
chiefly grown, for foliage, the latter variety being very distinct' 
the main, part of the leaf is white, only the, midrib and veins 
being green. 
Tliyrsaicanthus isi a, genus: of about twenty species, chiefly 
of Tropical America,. The method by which T. rutilan® is 
propagated is by cuttings, taken in early spring. Take the 
■strongest growths, and when rooted get, four breaks as soon 
a,s possible, pot on. and allow mo side shoot® -to develop. These 
will make fine strong plants about 2 ft. high. The flowers of 
tills plant, produced from the top, hang in long slender 
. racemes; thus a. considerable length of stem is necessary to 
prevent the, inflorescence reaching the Stage. This is a, most 
lovely and valuable winter-flowering plant. 
Eranthemum i® a, genus of about, thirty specie®, all tropical. 
E. Andersoni is n,aimed in, homonrof Dr. Anderson, an authority 
on Acianthaioeiae. The inflorescence of this specie® is produced 
in a, terminal leafless spike, about 8 in. long. The flowers 
are sessile, and arranged in, whorls; a,s many as 100 flowers 
may be produced on, one spike. They are white, the lip being 
spotted with pink. E. atropurpureum and E. reticula,turn 
are fine foliage' plants, and excellent, for decorative purposes. 
E. hypocraiteriforme is a, native of West Tropical Africa : it 
is with us a, climber. This plant produce® large terminal 
bunched spikes of flowers throughout the summer and autumn ; 
the corolla is 11 in. long, lobe® 1 in. in diameter. The upper 
Surface of the petals isi a, bright red, slightly spotted with dark 
red, the under surface a straw colour. Thisi is a, very desir¬ 
able, plant for the roof of a, stove. 
Clerodendron teichotomum. (Seen. 865.) 
A. C. W. 
