AGAVE. 71 



•or as table plants, and when they have become too large 

 for such purposes, they are admirably adapted for the 

 ■conservatory. Pot them in loam and peat, in about 

 equal parts, adding a little clean river or silver sand, 

 drain the pots well, and supply them liberally with 

 •water. 



A. stcmracantlia. — ^A beautiful plant, well deserving 

 general cultivation. The stem is medium-sized, and, from 

 below the base of the petioles, produces a quantity of 

 roots which ultimately become spiny, and which has given 

 rise to the generic name ; the leaves are palmate, divided 

 into segments quite down to the ligule, dark green on 

 vthe upper side, and silvery white below. It is a beau- 

 tiftd Palm for in-door deooration, as well as for green- 

 house purposes. Native of Mexico. 



A. Warseewiczii. — ^The stem of this fine species is some- 

 what stout ; petioles from two to three feet long, unarmed, 

 •and enclosed in a dense mass of white fibres ; leaves 

 nearly round, about two feet in diameter, and like those 

 of the preceding species, often split into segments quite 

 down to the ligule ; the upper surface is very deep green, 

 below they are clothed with a white pulverescence. Native 

 ■of Central America, 



Agave. 



Although these plants would not seem at first sight to 

 have much in common with Amaryllis and Na/roisms, they 

 nevertheless belong to the same order {Amaryllidacece). 

 They are noble massive-growing plants, and form mag- 

 nificent ornaments in the greenhouse or conservatory, 

 -whilst from their slow growth they do not rapidly get 

 rtoo large, even for a small greenhouse. Indeed, some of 

 ithe real gems of this" genus are neat compact-growing 



