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We suspect that "H" (the large species wrongly called 

 " lurida " at Saharanpur) is also allied to the Sisalana group, 

 and careful experiments upon its fibre are very desirable. 



" J " will doubtless hold its own as a hedge plant, especially 

 in the drier provinces, but the shortness of the leaf handicaps 

 it as against other species. 



We know nothing really about A. Vera-Cruz (D) as regards 

 its fibre, but the prickly margin of the leaf has to be reckoned 

 with. This species stands a moist atmosphere rather better than 

 A. sisalana possibly, but the species " H " is perhaps the most 

 adaptable to varieties of climate. We do not pretend to offer 

 an opinion as to soils for planting Agave, but botanical con- 

 siderations, as well as experience in the different gardens, suggest 

 that the composition of the soil is not of much importance,- 

 always provided it is well drained and sloped, or elevated suffici- 

 ently to guard against water-logging. An important factor, of 

 course, in the cultivation of Agave or Purer aea is the provision 

 necessary to meet the effects of poling; but where space is 

 available this can be met by marking out the plantation into 

 blocks, and planting these on a fixed working plan in successive 

 years, so as to maintain a continuous supply of leaves of the 

 proper age from the different blocks in rotation. 



In a letter from the State of Vera Cruz the following 

 remarks on the native soil and climate of the Agaves occur : 

 "In our rich clay loams here with 125 inches of rain dis- 

 tributed over nearly nine months of the year as might be 

 expected Agaves are non-existent," but it is added, that " on 

 the Pacific side of the Isthmus, * * in the State of Oaxaoa, 

 where the rainfall dwindles away to 30 or 40 inches with over 

 eight months' dry season, and a gravelly or rocky soil, I have 

 observed Agave and Cacti in abundance. " This lends con- 

 firmation to Mr. Cameron's suggestions ; but the merit of such 

 situations probably depends on their facility for drainage. 



Our reasons for including " K " in the List will be found 

 in the following Fart (II) of this paper. It is the A. decipiens 

 of Mr. J. G. Baker which is possibly the same as A. Ixtli of 

 Karwinshl and is known in Florida as " false Sisal." It is 

 only known in India in Botanical collections at present. 



