110 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



E. W. Buswell mentioned that a plant of Phormium tenax varie- 

 gatum (New Zealand flax), was exhibited in flower to-day for the 

 first time, by Charles S. Sargent. Mr. Buswell also showed a 

 small mat, made from the fibre of this plant by the native Maoris 

 of New Zealand, prepared and woven with no apparatus but water 

 and stones. This was sent in by Miss Hannah E. Stevenson. 



The Chairman remarked that the variegated form of the New 

 Zealand fiax was one of the most beautiful of all variegated plants. 



Mr. Hovey said that the common green variety did not seem to 

 be very generally known. He alluded to Dr. Henry Perrin, who 

 lost his life while endeavoring to establish the cultivation of this 

 and other tropical plants in Florida, many of his letters having 

 been published in the " Magazine of Horticulture," nearly forty 

 years ago. The plant can be grown without protection, as far 

 north as Charleston, S. C, and also in Ireland, where it was grown 

 by a nurseryman for strings, which were made by merel}^ tearing 

 the leaves into strips. Mr. Hovey had used it in this way himself 

 in a half green state, and found it very strong. It might be grown 

 all through the Southern States. It does not require the protec- 

 tion of a greenhouse, but may be kept over winter in a cellar or 

 cold frame. The roots are fibrous, so that it need not be potted. 

 It has a fine efi'ect on the lawn, where it should be associated with 

 3'uccas, agaves, and similar plants. Although the variegated form 

 is very beautiful, it was a question whether, if all plants were varie- 

 gated, the green form would not be considered quite as beautiful. 

 It is novelty which gives value to many plants. The plain green 

 Phormium, with its tall, erect, sword-like leaves, is a grand sub- 

 tropical plant. 



Mr. Buswell believed the public taste was running wild on varie- 

 gation. While some plants, from the breadth of their foliage and 

 distinctness of variegation, were objects of beaut}-, others were so 

 variegated as to appear at a little distance as if they were dying. 



Mr. Robinson remarked that the Phormium belonged in the 

 Lily Family proper. 



