28 GEEEXIIOUSE FLOWERING PLANTS. 



in a collection. Its pinkish-white flowers are so very dis- 

 tinct from all others that it is always a welcome subject at 

 summer shows. It should be potted in the beginning of 

 March amongst fibrous peat and about one-fovirth of sharp 

 sand, and kept in a cool airy place in the greenhouse. Being 

 of a compact habit, it requires very little tying or trimming, 

 but it must be kept clean by syringing daily during the 

 sunimer. It should be well supplied with water at all times, 

 and a little liquid manure, given two or three times before 

 flowering, tends to develop the flower- spikes to their fullest 

 extent and beauty. 



AGAPANTHUS. 



The blue African lily is a plant that suits itself to almost 

 any treatment, and being of a hardy nature and tenacious 

 of life, its culture is often neglected. It is not a firs't>class 

 exhibition plant, but its graceful arching leaves, independent 

 of its fine flowers, make it a good associate amongst stiffer- 

 growing plants. Two of the best varieties are A. umhellatus 

 flore 2iileno and A. umhellatus ma.nmus. They should be potted 

 amongst rough loam, sand, and decomposed manure, and 

 receive an abundance of both clear water and liquid manure 

 in summer, but should be kept drier in the winter season. 



APIIELEXLS. 



An old-fashioned genus of greenhouse plants, .of a rather 

 straggling habit of growth, but which by skilful treatment 

 make very beautiful and attractive exhibition specimens. 

 Among the finest for that pvirpose are A. macvantha pur- 

 purea, A. {Phaenocoma) prolifera Barnesii, and A. purpurea 

 (jrandiflora. Young plants require to be kept well pinched, 

 to form a good foundation for a large well-furnished specimen. 

 The plants grow well in good fibrous peat and silver sand, 

 with plenty of nodules of charcoal and sandstone sprinkled 

 through it ; draining the pots thoroughly, and potting very 

 firm. As the plants grow, the shoots should be neatly trained 

 in the desired form, using as few stakes as possible, and neatly 



