588 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
convenience of taking inside in ‘de autumn, its growth must be watched, 
and the roots divided from time to time, or ‘fie increase of size will 
result in the bursting of the pot. This division is best effected in 
spring, and will serve for propagating purposes. During the growing 
period, and all through the hot, dry weather, they must be very liberally 
watered. Where there is a lake or stream in the grounds, it is a good 
plan to turn out these plants into the soft soil on its margins, or to 
plunge the pots there. The quantity of water given must be greatly 
reduced in autumn, and given sparingly in winter. When the flower- 
scapes appear, give occasional dozes of clear manure-water, and continue 
them until the flowers are all out. They may be wintered in a dry shed 
or coach-house. 
Description of Agapanthus wmbellatus, the African Lily; umbel of 
Plate 274. flowers and upper portion of leaves natural size. Fig. 1 
is a section of the flower. 
SOLOMON’S SEAL 
Natural Order LintacE&. Genus Polygonatum 
PotyGonaTuM (Greek, polys, many, and gonw, a knee: in allusion 
to the many nodes or joints). A genus of about twenty-three species 
of perennial herbs, with fleshy, creeping rootstocks and leafy stems. 
The flowers are produced from the axils of the leaves, and are pendulous. 
The perianth is funnel-shaped, the mouth cleft into six lobes, and the 
stamens attached to the middle of the tube. Fruit a pulpy berry. They 
are natives of Europe, Northern Asia, Himalaya, and North America; 
three are British. 
POLYGONATUM BIFLORUM (two- flowered). Stem 
slender, 1 to 3 feet high. Leaves lance-shaped, veins 
minutely downy, paler beneath. Flowers greenish, } inch long, mostly 
in pairs on one stalk; May. Introduced from North America. 
P. MULTIFLORUM (many-flowered). Common Solomon’s Seal. Stem 
arched, naked below, 2 to 3 feet high. Leaves oblong, somewhat stem- 
clasping. Flowers greenish white, ? inch long, two to five in a raceme 
May and June. Native of Britain. There is a double variety (fore 
pleno), and another with variegated leaves (striatum). 
olygonatums succeed well in any good, loamy soil, 
and if planted in a shrubbery or plantation, become quite 
naturalised. They are propagated by simply dividing the fleshy 
Principal Species. 
Cultivation. 
