QUITE a good deal can be done with variegated foliage plants to help give character and tone to a, place, even when flowers are not very plenty. This is particularly the case with plants in a greenhouse, and even in a window, although to a smaller extent, of course.

We doubt very much whether the variegation in foliage comes nearly so beautiful in its markings here, as it does in a moist climate like that of England, where the rays of the sun are less powerful. Still, many kinds do well enough to be quite effective when properly grouped or used.

That the rich markings observable in England, of the Zonale Pelargonium tribe, when planted in the flower garden, is pretty much a failure, we are now quite convinced, although really sorry it is so, for they are equal to a bed of flowers where ' they do well; the tri-color section will never be a favorite bedder with us on account of this failure.

Even the old common variegation of white and green does but indifferently well, as compared to what one sees on the other side of the Atlantic. So beautiful and so entirely effective are they there, that they and the tri-colors, at once assume the most commanding position as bedding plants, over all other kinds. Without having seen them as they appear there, it is impossible to realize what a beautiful effect they produce.

Variegation is, undoubtedly, a species of disease, and more or less affects the vitality of the plant, which, we suppose, is one reason why these plants do not stand our hot suns in summer better than they do.

It would be an interesting question, however, to enquire whether plants produced on this continent would stand any better than such as have had a European origin.

We have one in our mind's eye, raised by R. Buist, of Philadelphia, that does admirably well, and that is the variegated Rose of Sharon, called, we think, Buistii.

This plant, readily raised from cuttings of the last year's wood, taken off in the fall, could be made great use of, even as a bedding plant, although really a shrub, but by no means a strong grower, however, being a good illustration of how much the variegation seems to retard the growth of most plants so marked.

Among the plants now being occasionally offered for sale, with variegation, are the following, all of which we take from one Eastern catalogue, showing that this class of plants is really being more sought after than formerly.

To the novice in plant-growing, variegation does seem to strike favorably, as it is quite frequent to hear the remark that such and such a plant looks sick, whereas to the plant connoisseur, the same may be thought exceedingly beautiful:

Cobea Scandens Variegata

Leaves green, margined with yellowish white.

Linaria Cymbalaria Variegata

A very interesting variety of the ordinary toadflax, with leaves one-half their depth, marked with sulphur white; quite a weakly grower, however.

Basella Rubra Variegata

A species of the well known Madeira vine - leaves scarlet, green and white - of a half shrubby state, said to stand our suns well.

Antirrhinum (Silver Belt)

A prettily marked variety of the common Snapdragon of the gardens, but quite a diminutive plant, however, as compared with the green varieties.