An erroneous idea seems to have sained ground with horticulturists generally - viz., that Nepenthes are very difficult plants to cultivate satisfactorily; hence we find gardeners as a rule set their faces dead against admitting these interesting plants into their collections j indeed, by many they, together with orchids, are regarded with marked antipathy, notwithstanding the excellent examples afforded by Mr Thos. Baines of Southgate and Mr Speed of Chatsworth.

Nepenthes require an open compost, similar to that recommended in our last chapter, and an abundant supply of tepid water at their roots when growing. Frequent syringings are beneficial during the summer months, and greatly promote healthy, vigorous growth.

The root space required by these plants is small in proportion to most other plants, so that care must be taken not to over-pot them, more especially in the case of newly rooted cuttings. When pitcher-plants are well grown, I know of few other plants that attract more attention from general observers, while they are always interesting to professional plantsmen and amateurs alike.

Several beautiful varieties have been obtained by hybridising in the Royal Exotic Nurseries at Chelsea, and doubtless others will speedily follow. Of those already obtained we may notice Nepenthes Dominiana, Nepenthes Sedenii, Nepenthes Chelsonii, Nepenthes hybrida, and Nepenthes hybrida maculata.

We will now glance at a few of the species and varieties commonly met with in gardens and nurseries, appending such descriptions as may be requisite.

Nepenthes Ampullacea

This is a species remarkable for the profusion in which clusters of pitchers are frequently produced on the lower portions of its stems and branches. The pitchers are subglobose, one to two inches long, and nearly as much in diameter. In colour they are pale green, more or less spotted and blotched with red, or reddish purple. Nepenthes ampullaria vittata, or Nepenthes Ampullacea Picta as it is sometimes called, is a profusely blotched garden variety. It is commonly grown in gardens, having been introduced from the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. It is also found at Singapore and Malacca.

Nepenthes Zcmata

This is one of the rarest, and consequently most valuable, of all the Nepenthes, bearing large pitchers six inches to nearly a foot long. The mouth of the pitcher is very broad, and of a bright reddish-crimson colour. The wings of the pitcher are slit into curious fringes. This superb plant is a native of Borneo, where it is found at an altitude of about 2500 feet. I believe it was originally introduced to the Royal Exotic Nursery by Mr Thos. Lobb, one of the most conscientious and enterprising of the collectors employed by Messrs James Veitch & Son some years ago, and through whose labours many beautiful and remarkable plants found their way into cultivation and commerce.

Nepenthes Rafflesiana

This is a fine species, bearing two kinds of pitchers, which vary considerably in form and markings. The pitchers borne on the lower portion of the plant are 5 to 7 inches long, and 3 to 4 inches in diameter, of a pale green colour, heavily blotched with dark purple markings. The upper pitchers are funnel shaped, often nearly a foot long, and from two to three inches "broad at the mouth, from whence they gradually taper downwards into the prolonged "base of the midrib. A specimen of this species, grown by Mr Baines, bore upwards of fifty finely developed pitchers, and was one of the most remarkable plants ever seen. The Nepenthes Hookerii of gardens is a variety of this plant, having shorter and rounder pitchers, more heavily blotched with purple than in the normal type. Of this plant again there are two sub-varieties, one being covered with whitish hairs and the other being perfectly smooth.

Nepenthes Phyllamphora

This is one of the commonest species, and one of very vigorous growth. Its cylindrical stems shoot up six to eight feet high, bearing lanceolate oblong leaves twelve to sixteen inches long. Pitchers four to six inches long, about an inch in diameter and very freely produced. I have found this plant valuable as furnishing an abundance of leaves and pitchers for cutting. They have a very pretty effect, arranged along with choice flowers and ferns, and have the additional merit of lasting for a long period in the drawing-room vase. This species is a native of China and the Malayan Archipelago, and is often sold and distributed as Nepenthes distillatoria, an old species described by Linnams, a native of Ceylon, the normal type being extremely rare in cultivation.

Nepenthes Rubra

This is a variety of Nepenthes distillatoria, having peculiar flask-shaped pitchers four or five inches long, and of a purplish red colour throughout.

Nepenthes Sanguinea

This is a fine species and rare in cultivation, having triangular smooth stems and ovate oblong leaves. The pitchers borne by this plant are large, being upwards of a foot long and about three inches in diameter. They are downy and of a beautiful crimson colour. It is a native of Malacca.

Nepenthes Gracilis

Stems smooth, three cornered; leaves, small, being about six inches long, and an inch wide; pitchers two to four inches long, narrowed in the centre, and having a pair of narrow fringed wings. The older pitchers are destitute of the latter appendages. This plant bears a profusion of its small greenish pitchers, and like 'those of Nepenthes phyllamphora they come in very acceptably for cutting and decorative purposes. It is a native of Sumatra, and is also found in Borneo, altitude 1500 to 2000 feet.

A smaller variety of the latter plant is often called Nepenthes laevis in gardens.

Nepenthes Dominiana

This is one of Mr Dominy's hybrids, Nepenthes Rafflesiana being the seed-bearing parent, fertilised with pollen from an undeter-mind species from Borneo. It somewhat resembles Nepenthes Rafflesiana, but is much finer when well developed. Its pitchers are six or seven inches long, and about three inches in diameter. Colour, green, heavily blotched with rich dark purple. The lid of the pitcher is smaller than the mouth, spotted with purple, and is ribbed behind.

Nepenthes Hybrida Maculata

This is another seedling of rather dwarf habit, bearing pitchers four or five inches long, of a dark green colour, marked with longitudinal blotches of purple. Plants a foot high bear numerous well developed pitchers.

Nepenthes Hoschiana

Nepenthes Hoschiana closely resembles this variety, but is not winged.

Nepenthes

Nepenthes are seen to the best advantage when grown in baskets of either wire or wood, as then their pitchers droop gracefully on all sides. Of the above selection Nepenthes Rafflesiana and its variety Nepenthes Hookerii, Nepenthes Dominiana, and Nepenthes Khasyana, var. rubra (syn Nepenthes rubra of gardens), are strong growers and within the reach of most plant growers. Nepenthes sanguinea and Nepenthes lanata (Nepenthes Veitchii) are rare, and consequently very expensive.

The pitchers of Nepenthes may be preserved as ornaments by being filled with dry sand, and afterwards thoroughly embedded in a box filled with the same material, which should afterwards be placed in a dry place for a fortnight or three weeks. At the expiration of that time they may be taken out, and will be found thoroughly dry. A coat of clear copal varnish or gum will revive the colours, and give them a fresh appearance. Grouped along with skeletonised leaves and fruit vessels, or dried fern fronds, these preserved pitchers have a pleasing effect when tastefully arranged beneath a glase shade.

F. W. B.