128 Subtropical Gardening. 



the same as in the species, but in addition it has a sheath- 

 ing base and the midrib on the under side is of a beautiful 

 deep red. It would be difficult to find a plant more 

 worthy of cultivation than this. Where it does well in 

 the garden or pleasure-ground in the southern parts, it 

 surpasses any Yucca or other hardy plant that I know 

 in respect of distinctness and tropical-looking grace ; and, 

 this being the case, there can be little need to plead for 

 it to the many who have gardens in the counties south 

 of London. In all districts it may be placed in the 

 open garden in summer with fine effect, the rim of the 

 pots plunged level with, or a little below, the surface, and 

 the plants either isolated on the turf, in the centre of a 

 bed of flowering plants, or grouped with other fine-leaved 

 subjects. In the conservatory it is one of the most 

 effective and graceful subjects at all seasons, and is of 

 very easy culture in rich sandy loam. 



The Drac&nas are a very numerous family, and many 

 more might be described ; but most of the other kinds 

 have not been proved to possess any excellence for the 

 flower-garden, while those enumerated are abundantly 

 sufficient to represent the aspect of this graceful and 

 stately family. 



Echeveria metallica. This is scarcely high enough 

 to be suitable for association with the taller plants, but 

 it is, so very distinct in aspect, and has been proved to 

 grow so well in the open air during several unfavourable 

 seasons, that I must not pass it by. I purposely ex- 

 clude from this book many things sometimes found in 

 lists of " subtropical " plants, but which may be classed 

 most properly with bedding subjects. But this, although 



