The Garden Under Glass

THE BEST FOLIAGE PLANTS in out of the pot an inspection will disclose the faet that there is a thick, fleshy tap-root at the bottom. If this “ toe,” as it is sometimes called, is cut off an inch or more long and put into a propagator it will quickly produce another plant. The stem of the draeæna may also be cut into lengths of a couple of inches, and if put into soil will, most of them, grow. Tall plants may also be dwarfed by notehing and mossing and seeds may be sown, though this course is rarely practised. Cuttings of side growths will root if put into a bottle of water or in soil. When rooted the young plants may be potted along in a fairly warm house and it will be found best to keep them in small pots instead of rushing them into a large size, where they lose their value as room plants. Varieties to be recommended are : Australis, Lindenii, Indivisa and Sanderiana, which are but a few among several scores of different sorts and types. Afew draeænas are almost essential for setting off other plants in the greenhouse. Ficus Elastica More frequently grown for the room than for the greenhouse, this is nevertheless a splendid plant. It has a very hard Constitution and will bear mueh ill-treatment, which it certainly does not deserve. There is a variegated form which deserves more extended culture. To grow these plants requires no skili, the main item being good water-ing. Plants may be obtained from cuttings, but the usual method is notehing and ringing, which rarely fails to produce a good result. To keep the plants healthy and of good appearance the leaves should be frequently sponged. Any good potting so il will suit the ficus. Ficus repens is a pretty clinging plant well adapted for clothing the wall of a warm house.