AND CONSEETATOET. 201 



and decidedly scanty supplies during winter, but tliey must 

 not be allowed to become quite dry at any time. They are 

 increased from suckers and imported seeds. 



Dastlieion. — These are distinct and noble plants, well 

 adapted to give a fine character to the conservatory in the 

 winter, and a touch of tropical tone to the flower garden in the 

 summer. The compost should be three parts good loam and 

 one part each of peat and sharp sand. Give plenty of water 

 all the summer, and very little all the winter. 



Deacjexa. — This glorious family furnishes a number of 

 remarkably noble conservatory plants that are nearly hardy ; 

 and a still" greater number of richly coloured plants that are 

 rather tender. Among the conservatory kinds D. austraJis, 

 D. canncefolia, D. indivisa, and D. rohusta are the hardiest ; 

 and, with the exception of those with coloured leaves which re- 

 quire warmth, the handsomest. To grow them well is such an 

 easy matter that it only needs to be said that a compost con- 

 sisting chiefly of good peat with a little loam will suit them, 

 and that they must have plenty of water when growing. 

 They are propagated in various ways but chiefly by cuttings or 

 by circumposition. The last named process consists in attach- 

 ing by the aid of a flower pot cut through from top to bottom, 

 a body of soil to the stem of the plant. "When roots have been 

 thrown out the stem is eat through and a ready made plant is 

 the result. Soon afterwards the remainder of the stem throws 

 out shoots and forms a bushy plant, every stem of which may 

 in time be circumposed if stock is wanted, 



Dyceia. — A spiny leaved race of curious plants that assort 

 well both as to appearance and treatment with agaves. They 

 must however not be kept so dry in winter as agaves. They 

 are increased by suckers. There are not many species in 

 cultivation, and of these D. argentea is the best. It is closely 

 related to Hechtia. 



Encephalaetos, Maceozamia, and Zamia. — Are to be 

 treated as directed for Cycas, but as they are cooler and dryer 

 plants, care must be taken to provide them with a somewhat 

 stony soil and to guard against giving too much water. 



rouECBOTA. — Treat the same as Dasylirion, taking care to 

 put the plants out all the summer. 



Hechtia. — The plants of this genus closely resemble the 



