AGAVE. 73 



during tte summer season, but during winter considerably 

 less will be required. "When these plants are syringed in 

 winter, the temperature of the house should be inereased, 

 to quickly dry up the superabundant moisture. The species 

 can be increased by suckers when they are to be obtained, 

 and also by seeds, to secure the production of which, in 

 the species that do not yield suckers, the flowers should be 

 carefully impregnated. 



A, americana.- — This noble plant produces leaves from 

 one to seven or eight feet in length, and six to eight 

 inches in breadth, very stout, spreading, distantly armed 

 at the margins with moderate-sized spines, and at the 

 points with a very long and stout one. The colour of 

 the massive leaves is milky green. It is a native of 

 South America. 



A. americana medio-picia. — This is a superb variety of 

 the preceding, with lanceolate leaves from two to three 

 feet in length, and abont four inches in width, the lower 

 leaves recurved, the upper ones erect, moderately thick, 

 rich golden yellow on both surfaces, bordered with dark 

 green ; the apex and edges are armed with brown spines. 

 It is a magnificent plant, and one which no collection of 

 ' ornamental-leaved plants should lack. Native of Mexico. 



A. americana mexicana. — This variety is much shorter 

 in the leaves than the species, seldom exceeding three feet 

 . in length by some four or five inches in breadth, and 

 very glaucous ; armed like the original, with somewhat 

 distant spines, and at the apex with a stout one. Native 

 of Mexico. 



A. americana striata, — ^A more compact-growing plant 

 than the species ; the ground colour is a milky green, 

 with streaks of yellowish white extending from base to 

 apex. Although far less handsome than A. medio-picta. 



