Draccrna. 125 



or more in length. Suited for the embellishment of 

 rough, uneven ground, and will grow well in almost any- 

 kind of soil. Still more desirable than the foregoing is 

 D. lac'uiiatus, a native of France, the leaves of which are 

 fringed with silky hairs instead of spines, and which has 

 always whitish flowers. Both these plants are biennials, 

 and are easily raised from seed. 



THE DRACAENAS. 



Long as this noble family has been known in our gardens, 

 we have yet to learn a great deal about its use and beauty. 

 Hitherto only allowed to grace a stove or conservatory 

 now and then, the Dracaenas in future will be among the 

 indispensable ornaments of every garden where grace or 

 variety is sought. They are among the very best of those 

 subjects which may be brought from the conservatory or 

 greenhouse in early summer, and placed in the flower- 

 garden till it is time to take them in again to the houses 

 in which they are to pass the winter months. And if it 

 were not necessary to protect them through the winter, it 

 would be almost worth our while to bring them indoors 

 at that season, so graceful are they, and so useful for 

 adding the highest character to our conservatories. The 

 hardier and most coriaceous kinds, like indivisa and 

 Draco, may be placed out with impunity very far north. 

 The brightly coloured kinds, like D. tcrminalis, have 

 been tried in the open air at Battersea, but not with 

 success. It would be dangerous to try them in the open 

 air much farther north, except in very favourable spots. 

 The better kinds are indicated in the select list of sub- 



