Room Culture. 21 



eases, and in garden borders, with varieties of 

 crocus. 



Though Lily of the valley be native in some parts 

 of this kingdom, it is charming when well-grown as 

 a pot plant in rooms late in winter and in early 

 spring ; and for this purpose it is much cultivated in 

 Holland and other parts of the Continent, and thence 

 imported by us. Incipient flowering buds are easily 

 distinguished from such as produce only leaves, and 

 may be selected and grown with a view to potting. 

 Water freely in summer, occasionally with liquid 

 manure ; pot in autumn ; don't push or force your 

 plants early, say, not before Christmas. There are 

 different kinds, of which some are finer than others. 



Aloes, and other Soft-wooded Plants. -For many 

 years, what is commonly called the American 

 Aloe, or Agave, has established its aptitude for 

 room culture, flourishing there with less care than 

 most plants require. It is of the Amaryllis tribe, 

 and will live for many winter months without water 

 to its roots, and it need never be watered over- 

 head. Of late years, like qualities in other kindred 

 plants have made them favourites for city culture 

 but it is well occasionally to water the soil. And 

 some collections, of what are commonly called succu- 

 lent plants (of which I may particularly notice that 

 of Mr. J. T. Peacock, at Sudbury House, Hammer- 

 smith, near London) attract the admiration of many 

 visitors, who are surprised at what can be grown in 

 such seemingly unpropitious localities. Dr. Kellock, 



