53 



Avilli flowers of Spiderwort. The leaves spread open, arc broader and 

 more iranslucid, soft and pulpy, than the above, pouring out a limpid 

 juice: the root is tuberous: the flowers are produced on loose spikes, 

 like the former, but are shorter; they are yellow, and appear at 

 dirtbrent seasons. This species grows close to the ground, never 

 rising with any stalk. Jt is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. 



The eighth has the leaves scarcely striated, but rough at the 

 edge; more gibbous at the back towards one side; they are long, 

 narrow and pulpy, almost taper, but flatted on their upper side: the 

 flowers are yellow, and grow on long loose spikes as the former; 

 these appear at different seasons; those of the spring and summer 

 are succeeded by seeds in great plenty, which ripen. It is a native 

 of the Cape. 



Culture. — These perennials are in general capable of being pro- 

 pagated by the roots, oflsets and suckers; but as some of the spe- 

 cies do not supply them in suflicienc}^ they may be raised from the 

 seeds. 



In the first method the best season for the purpose is in the latter 

 end of summer and beginning of the autumn, in beds of light vege- 

 table earth in warm open situations, free from the shade and drop- 

 pings of trees. An eastern aspect, where the plants are properly 

 shaded from the sun in the mid-day, is preferable for some of the 

 sorts, as they keep longer in blow and beauty. 



This is likewise the proper period of transplanting, as when the 

 business is performed in the spring the plants seldfjui flower the same 

 year. This should not be done oftener than once in about three 

 years, where increase is intended; and in the execution of the work 

 the roots should not be too much divided, as when that is the case 

 they do not flower well. 



In the second method, or that by sowing the seeds, the best season 

 is probably the spring, though they may be sown in the autunm. A 

 JDcd of good light vegetable mould is the best for the purpose, and 

 the situation should be sheltered and warm. The plants soon ap- 

 pear, and when their leaves begin to decay in the autumn they 

 should be taken up carefully, and transplanted out into another bed 



