332 OKXAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



one or three feet in length, sagittato-ovate, tapering to a 

 blnnt point, and of a deep green colour. Native of Tropical 

 America. 



TuccA. 



These plants are familiar enough to all who take any 

 interest in the garden, as many of the species and varieties 

 are grown in the open borders, and are known popularly 

 as Adam's Needle. Their dark green leaves and majestic 

 spikes of bloom render them very effective objects, either 

 grouped upon the lawn, or planted in the shrubbery border. 

 It is not with the more hardy kinds we have to do in this 

 place, but with those which are mostly (though not in suf- 

 ficient abundance) grown in the greenhouse. ^ Some of the 

 kinds that we recommend for the house are, as we are 

 quite aware, by many persons considered to be hardy, but 

 although we would certainly use them largely in the open 

 air during summer, it is an unnecessary risk to leave these 

 handsome plants to the vicissitudes of our winter. As 

 ornaments for the sub-tropical garden, to plunge in and 

 about rock-work, or in such-like places. Yuccas are great 

 acquisitions, and they are much improved in appearance 

 by the exposure, as the sun and light intensifies the varie- 

 gation of their leaves, and thus increases then* beauty for 

 the embellishment of the conservatory or hall during win- 

 ter. On account, also, of their robust constitution and 

 beautiful markings, they are well adapted for window 

 plants, and we trust the taste for them will largely 

 increase. Tuccas require to have their pots well drained, 

 and to be potted in rich loam, with a considerable addition 

 of river or silver sand. These plants may be increased 

 by snckersr and also from seed, when it is to be obtained. 



Y. albo-spica. — An interesting and very elegant plant, 



