142 Subtropical Gardening. 



extend horizontally onstalks from 20 ins. to 2 ft. long. 

 The flowers are very numerous, and of a lilac rose-colour. 

 It is a highly ornamental plant both in foliage and flower, 

 and may be used with good effect grouped with com- 

 paratively dwarf kinds, or occasionally as an edging to 

 tall subjects. It is best raised in frames and put out 

 early in May. Multiplied by seed, which it yields 

 freely. 



*Gynerium argenteum {Pampas grass). — This 

 fine plant is so well known that there is no excuse for 

 naming it here, except the opportunity to say a few words 

 as to the splendid use we may make of it in the branch 

 of gardening we are now discussing. It deserves as much 

 attention as any plant in cultivation, and yet how rarely 

 is any thorough preparation made for its perfect develop- 

 ment. What is there growing in garden or in wild more 

 nobly distinct and beautiful than the great silvery plumes 

 of this plant waving in the autumnal gusts — the burial 

 plumes as it were of our summer too early dead ? What 

 tender plant so effective as this in giving a new aspect of 

 vegetation to our gardens, if it be tastefully placed and 

 well grown ? Long before it flowers it possesses more 

 merit for its foliage and habit than scores of things cul- 

 tivated indoors for their effect — Dasylirions, etc., for 

 example — and it would be well worthy of being extensively 

 used if one of its silken-crested wands were never put forth 

 in autumn. It is not enough to place it in out-of-the-way 

 spots, but the general scene of every garden and pleasure- 

 ground should be influenced by it. It should be planted 

 even far more extensively than it is at present, and given 

 very deep and good soil either natural or made. The 



