THE several species or varieties of iresine, or, as they are occasionally called, achy-ranthes, form when taken together a very beautiful genus of stove or warm greenhouse plants, belonging to the natural order Amarantaceae.

They are plants of rather succulent habit, growing about two feet in height, having richly colored foliage, which varies in the different varieties from dark crimson to golden yellow. They are of rapid growth and of the very easiest cultivation and I consider them among the most useful of ornamental-leaved plants. They can be used to advantage during the summer for bedding purposes, and some varieties will be found very useful to mix with plants having light-colored foliage, while large single specimens appropriately placed in the mixed border will brighten it up, and render it more attractive during the late summer and early autumn months.

The iresines can also be used to good advantage for the decoration of the warm greenhouse during the winter season ; and as they are much hardier than the coleus, they can, with a little care and attention, be grown in an ordinary sitting-room during the winter, and this renders them excellent window-garden plants. When used as bedding plants or for decorative purposes during the summer season, they should have a deep, moderately enriched soil, and, if at all possible, a sunny situation, although they will do well if grown in partial shade. They should be placed about one foot apart and pinched back occasionally so as to keep them in their proper place. For outside use young plants should be obtained as early in the season as possible, and grown in small pots until the weather becomes warm and settled, when they can be planted outside.

Where fine specimens are desired for the decoration of the conservatory or window-garden during the winter, they should be grown especially for that purpose. The young plants should be placed in a nicely prepared border, at least two feet apart, and grown carefully during the summer. They should be freely pinched back, so as to make compact specimens, and staked if necessary. Early in September they should be taken up and potted. In potting, use porous or soft-baked pots; let them be proportionate to the size of the plants, and see to it that they are well drained. Give them a compost composed of two-thirds well decayed sods, and one-third well decomposed manure. The plants should be placed in a light, sunny situation, and given a temperature of from 50 to 55 degrees. Water must be given frequently, but one should avoid keeping the plants too wet at their roots. It is well to sprinkle them freely overhead during bright, sunny weather, so as to guard against the attacks of the red spider, as this pest often infests the leaves in such numbers as to cause them to drop off.

Propagation is easily effected by cuttings of the half-ripened wood, placed in sand and given bottom heat. If the young plants so obtained are rooted early in the season and liberally cared for, good specimens can be readily obtained. The following are the most distinct and desirable sorts :

I. Caseii has leaves acuminate and of a bright golden yellow, veined with green. It is a strong-growing variety, of spreading habit, seldom exceeding one foot in height.

I Collinsii has leaves lanceolate in shape and beautifully marked with yellow, pink and green, the yellow predominating. The stems and midribs are crimson. The plant is of strong, upright, compact growth, attaining a height of over two feet. It is one of the most distinct species yet introduced.

I. Emersonii has leaves lanceolate in shape and of a light red color. The stems and midribs are pink. The plant is of compact habit, growing about one foot in height.

I. Hoveyi has large leaves, acuminate, of a carmine color, shaded with dark and light pink. The plant is of spreading habit, seldom growing more than one foot in height.

I. Lindenii has leaves lanceolate in shape and of a deep blood-red color. The plant is strong and compact in habit, seldom growing over one foot in height.

I. Herbstii auree-reticulata (A. Verschaffeltii) has foliage beautifully reticulated with green and gold, and stems of a bright, transparent carmine The plant is of a dwarf, spreading habit, and is an old but beautiful and distinct kind. The cut represents this species.

I. Wolsryii has small leaves of a dark, metallic crimson color. The plant is dwarf and compact in habit, and grows about eight inches in height. It is one of the best for the window-garden. Chas. E. Parnell.

Queens County, N.Y.

Iresine Herbstii aurbo-reticulata.