118 PLANTS FOR WINDOW GARDENING. 



winter, although the flowers are very ragged and loose. 

 The best way for the amateur is to buy from the nearest 

 green-house a few plants of chrysanthemums in the au- 

 tumn, bloom them in the window, and then throw them 

 away. 



AGAVE, OR CENTURY PLANT. 



The common Century plant, or American aloe (A Ameri- 

 cana), and the striped-leaved variety, are too well known 

 to need description. They are very hardy plants, even 

 bearing several degrees of frost without injury. They are 

 stately plants, and will endure much ill-treatment. In the 

 parlor they form attractive ornaments for the centre-table 

 in winter, the only care required being not to over-water 

 them, and to dust the leaves. 



There are many other species, all worth growing ; but 

 the best are, 



A. Milleri. A variety of Americana, of free-growing 1 habit, and with 

 long variegated leaves. 



A. a medio picta. Rich golden-yellow leaves. 



A. applanata. Rich glaucous foliage. 



A. coccinia. A massive species; deep green leaves, armed with red 

 spines. 



A. ferox. A very distinct species, with heary dark-green leaves, armed 

 with large dark-brown spines. 



A. fllifera. Leaves dark green, clothed with white filaments. A very 

 haudsome plant. 



