ON THE AGE OF AMERICAN ALOES BEFORE FLOWERING. 9 



ARTICLE IV. — On the Aye of the American Aloes, or 

 Ayave Americana, before Floweriny. Communi- 

 cated by Gulielmus. 



It is equally as absurd as false, the notion of the American 

 Agaves, or Aloes, flowering but once in a hundred years ; since 

 in the first place they flower hut once, put out offsets, and then 

 die : in the next place, there are frequent instances of their flow- 

 ering in England at the age of fifty, sixty, or seventy years ; 

 though from their having passed through many hands during that 

 period of years, their exact age cannot be so easily known ; but 

 in warmer climates, where they grow in the open ground, they are 

 supposed to flower in twelve or fifteen years, which proves, that 

 for want of warmth and nourishment, they are so long before they 

 arrive at their period of flowering here, for in warm countries they 

 continue to grow most part of the year ; in this, only during the 

 spring and autumn. 



There is not any plant cultivated in this country, whose culti- 

 vation is so improper, and so injudiciously managed. The nature 

 of this Aloe is not to flower until it bath unfolded all its leaves, 

 the flower-stem being situated exactly in the centre of the plant. 

 This circumstance shews that the growth of this plant ought to be 

 encouraged as much as possible ; the contrary practice is generally 

 used ; the earth, instead of being good nutritive earth, is very little 

 else but lime-rubbish, and the pot or tub one fourth filled with 

 stones from the bottom, the pot generally too small, the roots from 

 their number forcing the earth out of it, and scarce any water given 

 to it. In such a situation it is impossible for any plants to thrive 

 properly, and they will scarcely unfold one leaf in a year; whereas, 

 when they are not stunted of proper nourishment, they will unfold 

 two or three leaves each year, and must consequently flower many 

 years sooner ; perhaps in one third of the time. 



As this is one of the most magnificent exotic plants, when in 

 flower, of any which are cultivated, it is natural for every person, 

 who is possessed of them, to wish to see them in perfection and 

 full beauty ; by pursuing the following directions, they may 

 accelerate their growth many years : — 



l.i-t the earth, in which they are planted, be a light sandy loam, 



VOL. III. 



