IN THE FRONT YARD. 117 



pounded up, are used for a hair wash, which is said to 

 be excellent to keep it healthy and from falling out. 

 It has a stiff spike from which pure white flowers hang 

 like lights about a chandelier. This species I think 

 would be hardy anywhere. Thej^ do not seem to mind 

 any degree of heat or cold. They would seed plentiful- 

 ly and do, when they have a chance, but the cattle 

 which roam over the mountains and plains, though 

 they cannot eat the tough and leathery leaves, are sure 

 to take the flowering stem as soon as it appears. 



In my trips to the mountains I often gather seeds 

 which readily come up and the plants make rapid and 

 vigorous growth. The leaves are compact masses of 

 tough fiber quite useful for ropes and cords. 



The Filamentosa is so named from its filaments or 

 threads. These leaves are very tough and are used for 

 cordage or tying, much as rafia is now used, only it is 

 not as long or as pliable. 



There are three forms of this — the common and 

 Filamentosa Recurva. The leaves, instead of growing 

 erect, curve downward. There is not much difference 

 between the two, though nurserymen often make quite 

 a distinction in favor of the curved leafed ones. 



Bicolor is probably a sport of the Filamentosa 

 Erecta. It was sent out and recommended as hardy, 

 but it is tender and utterly worthless outside of the 

 greenhouse. 



THE FILAMENTOSA. 



The Filamentosa has an immense flower stalk with 

 branches, and in good rich ground it will grow to be 



