—T3 
Nee 
CULTIVATION AND ANALYSIS OF PLANTS. 
out very large rootlets, which will sometimes break a pot if not removed in time to a 
larger one. They grow well in a good, sandy loam, which should be well packed in 
among the rootlets. It is sometimes of advantage in transplanting to give them an 
entirely new soil, care being taken not to hurt the live roots, and dead ones being cut 
out with a sharp knife or scissors. The Agapanthus is among the few plants that grow 
more valuable with age. Even the leaves can be kept green, if desired, from year to year 
without apparent detriment; one or two will perhaps fall off in a season, but these will 
be replaced by others. It is slow to evince any sign of disease, and should therefore be 
all the more carefully tended. Its enemies are most frequently the scales, and occasionally 
the mealy bugs. The season of blooming varies from spring to fall in different plants, 
mainly according to treatment, and not infrequently they will flower twice in the same 
season. After flowering they should be given a season of rest by being supplied with 
less water for one or two months, whereupon they will perhaps again show signs of new 
growth, when they should receive a more liberal allowance of water. While blooming, 
they require a free use of liquid manure. Being natives of a warm climate, they delight 
in a moderate heat, and will not thrive at a lower range.than fifty-five degrees. 
the leaves in respect to color, is introduced a pretty, low-growing 
& or dwarfish plant of the Amaranth family. It delights in a rich, 
sandy soil and in an abundance of water, when freely growing ina 
warm atmosphere, in or out of doors. Under the sun’s heat, the leaves 
assume in succession many different colors, as green, brown, pink, car- 
mine, orange, and yellow, frequently rivaling the various shades of our 
forest leaves in autumn, or the beauties of the rainbow, whence it is sometimes 
called Rainbow Plant. Being small and easily kept under control with the 
knife, scissors, or even the fingers, they are much used for number, name or 
phrase work in fancy parterres; and the outline of such words, phrases or 
numbers can be easily maintained through an entire season by clipping, as they 
not only are not injured thereby, but receive the added advantage of a more compact 
growth. They will endure a greater degree of heat than almost any other plant, and 
their colors become deeper and more beautiful in the full glare of the sunlight. Though 
but of recent introduction, they have already sported into many handsome varieties. Of 
these the best known are: A. tricolor, which derives its distinctive appellation from the 
three most frequently-recurring colors, a rose ground with yellow bands and purple 
veins. A. magnifica, because larger, stronger, and more magnificent in every respect, 
including color. A.spatulata, from the spatulate, that is, obovate, oblong, or battledore- 
like form of the leaves, which are commonly a bright crimson and green. A. grandis, 
among the most recent varieties, is so called because of its still stronger habit of growth, 
and superior effectiveness in combination, the leaves being bronze with rich magenta tips. 
348 
corse 
Nee OS& 
