Of these the varieties are numerous, and the foliage very ornamental.
Those I have are _Dr. Hondley_; green ground, blotched with rose,
crimson center; _Madame Houllette_,--blush clusters and white spots on
green ground; _Sagittæfolium pictum_,--arrow-shaped leaves prettily
spotted with white; _Madame Alfred Bleu_,--the ground color of the
leaves is silvery white, which is blotched with green, in some leaves
very sparingly, in others, nearly half the surface; the veins are
prominent and of rich rosy crimson, bordered by narrow bands of a
lighter shade. _Alfred Mame_,--beautiful deep carmine, richly marked
with rosy spots and white leaf margin. _La Perle de Brazil_,--ground
color, green, reticulated all over with pure white, like fine lace.
These last three are from the collection of Mr. John Saul of Washington,
and are new.
Fancy Caladiums do best in somewhat shaded positions, in well enriched
soil, composed of finely decomposed manure, leaf mold and sand, and a
moist, warm temperature. Great care must be had in their earliest stage
of growth, to prevent decay of the tubers by over-watering. They can be
preserved in sand during the winter, in a room sufficiently warm to
prevent danger from frost.