BKIKF KEMAKKS. 311 



the first week in November, the larger bulbs deepest, and (he Ixias are 

 covered about five or six inches. The border lias a gentle slope to the 

 front. About the end of November I cover the bed over with half- 

 rotted leaf mould six inches deep, which saves the bulbs from injury by- 

 frost. This covering- is removed early in March. If the weather be 

 dry in spring I give a liberal watering (soft water from a pond), as 

 much as will sink a foot deep, and repeat if dry weather continue long. 

 When the flowering period is over I do not water, but allow the foliage 

 to die, and the bulbs are taken up in due course. I have half of this 

 long bed re-planted each autumn, and the bulbs in the other part have 

 remained unmolested for tiie last two years. These plants bloom more 

 vigorous than those I replant each season. And I am of opinion that 

 if the bed be in a warm, sheltered situation, have it well drained, and 

 tlie bulbs planted deep, as above described, they flourish much better 

 by not being disturbed. At all events, once in five years would be 

 sufficient. — Capensis. 



American Aloe. — The Agave Americana rarely blossoms in this 

 country, but a friend of mine wiio lias just returned from New Spain 

 informs me thai in the north of that country he saw immense numbers 

 of the brown, witliered flower stems, strong and thick as a Larch Fir 

 of thirty years growth, and from thirty to forty feet high, with its 

 withered blooming branches, and withered golden-yellow flowers, spread- 

 ing like a vast candelabrum. Plantations of them are made, and in the 

 valleys tliey grow most luxuriantly. One acre of ground will contain 

 a thousand plants. A proprietor who has (as is the case) from thirty 

 to forty thousand is a very ricli person. In some districts vast plains 

 are covered with such plantations as far as the eye can reach. The 

 juice or sap (commonlj'^ called the honey from its abundant sweetness) 

 is collected and taken as a most delicious beverage. It is of an agree- 

 able bitter-sweet flavour, and undergoing due fermentation is prepared. 

 This vinous liquor somewhat resembles our cider, and being extensively 

 sold is a valuable commodity. This juice, or sap, is only aflbrded when 

 the flowering stem is about to appear, so that particular attention is 

 given at that period so as to obtain tiie juice. The quantity which a 

 plant will supply is enormous, each being calculated to yield one hun- 

 dred and fifty bottles, which is wortii about thirty shillings of English 

 money. 



In good soil and situation the Agave blossoms at the age of five 

 years ; in medium soil, eight years ; in poor soil and exposed plains it 

 is usually from fifteen to eighteen years. The juice is obtained by cut- 

 ting through the bunch of central leaves, from which the flower-stem 

 is about to burst forth. The side leaves are turned up and tied togetlier, 

 and in this cleft the sap which was destined to form and nourish the 

 gigantic flower-stem is deposited ; and this vegetable fountain continues 

 to flow for three months, and may be tapped three times a day. After 

 this process the top dies and suckers issue forth, and with tiiera new 

 plantations are made. — A Subscriber. 



Fuchsia spectabilis. — Having noticed in the November Number of 

 the Floricultural Cabinet an Article headed Fuchsia spectabilis, and 

 other sorts, by Mr. D. Kidd, gardener at Garnstone Park, Hereford, I 



