456 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



filled with light earth. If in a warm situation, as near 

 a wall facing the south or south-east, they will bear an 

 ordinary winter abroad : in June they will begin to flower, 

 and in July are fit for gathering. There are single and 

 double varieties ; and, contrary to the habit of most double 

 flowers, these may generally be continued from seed. The 

 flowers are commonly white or purple. 



The other kinds are chiefly shrubby, and propagated 

 by cuttings, planted in any of the summer months in a 

 pot of light earth. These kinds must be sheltered from 

 frost ; but, if not allowed fresh air in mild weather, will 

 grow up weakly, and often bear no flowers. They should 

 be placed near a window, open in mild weather. In dry 

 summer weather the Xeranthemums will require frequent 

 watering, but must be sparingly watered in winter. 



These flowers, if gathered in their beauty, will preserve 

 it many years, and make a showy figure with other dried 

 flowers, as Amaranths, Honesty, Gnaphaliums, &c. in the 

 winter. They also make pretty ornaments for a lady^s 

 hair : their colours are white, purple, yellow, or red. 



The Xeranthemum has of late been highly improved 

 by culture, and many persons are very curious in them. 



YUCCA. 



LILIACEjE. HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



Frequently called Adam's-needle. French, yuca ; youc. 



THE Superb Yucca is from North America ; it was first 

 cultivated in Europe by Gerarde, to whom it was brought 

 from the West Indies by the servant of an apothecary. 

 Gerarde kept the plant till his death ; Parkinson had it 

 from the widow, and with him it perished. 



The Yucca is nearly allied to the Aloe, and, like that, 

 blows very rarely : the flowers of this species are bell- 



