YUCCAS. 



The Yuccas are a striking class of plants, with long, narrow, strong, sharp-pointed leaves, 

 and a peculiar tropical aspect. Filamentosa is the hardiest, and we think will endure almost 



any of our Northern winters. 

 It is called Adam's Needle, 

 because the leaves are 

 sharply pointed and throw 

 off from their edges numer- 

 ous fine threads. It sends 

 up a strong flower-stem in 

 the middle of the summer, 

 bearing a large spike of 

 whitish flowers. The Yucca 

 is an evergreen perennial 

 and delights in a rich soil. 

 We usually throw over the 

 plants a few evergreen 

 boughs or something of the 

 kind, as a slight winter pro- 

 tection. We call attention to this old plant with a good deal of 

 confidence, feeling assured that it will more than meet the expec- 

 tations of our readers. Our 

 engravings show the plant 

 in flower, and the tuberous 

 root. 



There are other varieties 

 of Yucca well worthy of 

 culture, but none so hardy 



and desirable for a Northern climate as Filamentosa, which we 

 have figured. Yucca gloriosum superbum we have grown pretty well, and, of course, further 

 South this and the more tender varieties do well. It is at the North, however, where plants with 

 an oriental or tropical appearance are so scarce and delightful that the Yucca is most prized and 

 most needed. For this reason we have said a good word in behalf of the Yucca, a favor we 

 have done before for the Ricinus and Canna, and for the same reason. It is surprising how 

 much real beauty we can get for very little labor, and at a trifling expense, by giving a little 

 attention to the habits of plants and their adaptation to circumstances. We once saw a circular 

 bed on a lawn filled with our common Maize, and thought it very beautiful, but it was in a 

 country where a field of Corn was never seen. 



ASTILBE JAPONICA. 



The Astilbe yaponica is a comparatively new plant, and as useful as it is elegant. The plant 

 is dwarfish, seldom more than two feet in height, with large 

 feathery trusses of veiy small whitish flowers, which will be 

 found exceedingly useful for all ornamental work, while the 

 whole plant, as will be seen by the engraving, is itself quite 

 elegant. There are few plants that the florist can force for 

 winter bloom that will make him a better return, while the 

 amateur will find it pleasant, both in form, foliage and flowers. 

 For forcing, the roots should be planted in a seven inch pot in 

 the autumn, and plunged out of doors till about the first of Jan- 

 uary, then bring them into the house, giving plenty of light and 

 heat. The flowers are much larger and purer in color when 

 grown in the house than they are in the open ground, but it is a 

 good plant everywhere, and those who culivate it will thank us 

 for the good character we have given it. 



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