Aralia papyrifera (Chinese Rice-paper Plant).—This, though a native of the hot island of Formosa, flourishes vigorously with us in the summer months, and is one of the most valuable plants in its way, being useful for the greenhouse in winter and the flower-garden in summer. It is handsome in leaf and free in growth, though to do well it must, like all the large-leaved things,
be protected from cutting breezes. If this Aralia be planted in a dwarf and young state, it is likely to give more satisfaction than if planted out when old and tall. The leaves spread widely out near the ground, and then it is very ornamental through the summer. Prefer therefore dwarf stocky plants when planting it in early summer. It should have rich, deep soil and plenty of water during the hot summer months. For the public gardens of Paris it is kept underground in caves during the winter; but in private gardens it will doubtless be thought worthy of a place in the greenhouse throughout that season. In Battersea Park a bed of A. papyrifera, 13 ft in diameter, attained a height of 5 ft, from cuttings struck in the spring of 1868. The plants were left out all the next winter, and, although killed to the ground, the thick fleshy roots next season produced numerous strong shoots or suckers. These were produced irregularly, and so numerously that they had to be thinned out in many places; a few spaces only requiring to be filled up. It is easily increased by cuttings of the root, and is usually planted in masses, edged with a dwarfer plant; but as a small group in the centre of a bed of flowers, or even as an isolated specimen in a like position, it is most excellent.
*Aralia racemosa (American Spikenard).—An herbaceous species, with smooth, widely-branching, diverging stems, about 4 ft. in height, and pinnate, slightly downy leaves with ovate heart-shaped leaflets. Flowers numerous, white, in racemose umbels. Thrives best in good soil in shady or half-shady positions. Similar positions, etc., to those for A. nudicaulis and edulis. N. America.
*Aralia spinosa (Angelica tree of North America) is highly useful, in consequence of its beauty of foliage, among subtropical plants. Like many of the hardy things, it should not be placed in positions where it would be necessary to remove it, nor closely associated with tender plants requiring frequent disturbance of the soil Flowers in autumn, small, white, in numerous umbels arranged on a much-branched panicle beset with velvety stellate down. The leaves are twice and thrice pinnate, with ovate, deeply serrated, smooth leaflets. In most cases it grows with a single erect stem—the very type we require—and it should not be allowed to depart from this habit. The stem is fiercely arrayed with spines. On account of its umbrella-like head this fine thing has often been planted in exposed open spaces, where it would produce a distinct feature, but it is better planted where the great leaves will not be lacerated. It generally grows not more than 10 ft. high; and in every size from that down to a plant with a stem not more than 18 ins. high, it may be effectively used in the ornamental garden. It is propagated by cuttings of the roots. N. America.
Aralia macrophylla is a fine large digitate-leaved species which stands summer exposure pretty well, but does not make any growth in the open air; hence it can be but of comparatively slight importance for this purpose. Norfolk Island.
Areca sapida.—A New Zealand palm from 6½ ft. to nearly 10 ft. high, with a beautiful crown of bright-green pinnate leaves, which when young are tinged with a bronze colour: leaflets from 16 ins. to 2 ft. in length, lance-shaped. The young leafstalks are of a greyish red hue. A fine palm for placing in the open air in summer, and equally so for the conservatory in winter and spring. It is of very easy culture, if supplied with plenty of water.