The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-11-30
NEW HAVEN MORNING JOURNAL AND ao l9o

culture. At the head of the list is the popular Boston fern, (Nephrolepis), then the newer dwarf variety N. Scot 1 tii which is easier for ordinary culti- vators as the fronds are shorter and more compact which makes it easier 1 to handle as the fronds are not so readily broken, within a few years a humber of varieties of the plumed or crested fronded Boston ferns have been introduced, they all have differ ent names but the resemblance is very striking the only distinctive charact- eristics are in the fullness of the l plumed fronds or habit of growth the old variety Pteris trenula is excellent ! for house use, it grows readily and with abundant watering will succeed where many other sorts will fail The Dicksonia Schiedei from Mexico is a strong growing fern, and stands l changes of temperature much better than some of its relatives from colder climates, it requires several years to make a good specimen but is we'll worth the attention of any one look ing for a beautiful plant The Aspid- istra is probably the hardest of any | decorative plant, give it plenty of wa ter, thorough drainage and good light, then it succeeds in almost any situation. Norfolk Island Pines ' ,(Araucaria) are deservedly popular do not keep them too wet, have the pots thoroughly drained, and if the foliage turns yellow, give a thorough swinging with clear water, dry at mosphere is the worst enemy to this or any other house plant. The Rub Der plant (Ficus elagtica) is now seen in aln1lost every house especially do not let the earth get too wet, look well to the drainage and keep the leaves clean by frequent sponging, The new variety F. pandurata has very large erect fiddle shaped leaves and from experience thus far will stand any amount of Ill treatment and stlll thrive.
 The Cyperus, called Nne Grass though a native of Australia delights in an abundance of water in fact has ] often succeeded as an equatic plant in aquariums. An old plant but now seldom seen is the Cureuligo from \ ll.East Indies, 1t closely resembles the palms though not in any way related and is of the easiest culture. The
 Marantas allied to the Arrow root are .t in. a great number of varieties, some with gorgeously colored leaves, but require special care, plenty of moist heat, careful watering and nev-
 CT to be exposed to chilly .draughts. The Crotons or Codiaeum the glory of West. Indian gardens pre- sent the most dazzling combination ot
 colors of any variegated leaved plants
 but we would not advise growing ir
 an ordinary house temperature. They
 require greenhouse treatment where the atmosphere is always warm ant
 moist Two old-fashioned plants tha
 are now rarely seen are the Aralia ant
 Sanseviera, both stately and of easy
 culture.
 A few words about the general eul
 ture, do not help your plants in too
 large pots; better cramp the root.
 than have the earth sour; don't ovei
 water, a thorough soaking two oI
 three times a week (regulated by tht
 heat of the room) is much better thar a little driblet of water every day
 plants do not understand the clock
 the necessity of the patient should
 regulate the time of watering and no
 the time of day. Ordinary insects ca1
 be kept in subjeetion by frequen
 sprinkling with clear water Should ! the scale or mealy bug get the uppe,
 hand more radical measures will b, necessary. ".