AFRICA X Lilt. 71 



But, as remarked above, the plant is with advantage treated 

 as requiring protection in winter, and, generally speaking, 

 the amateur cultivator will insure the best success by 

 practising pot-culture. 



The agapanthus requires a rich, strong, loamy soil, in 

 which it produces a large mass of stout, fleshy roots, that 

 are thirsty in high summer time. It is a mistake to pre- 

 pare a light sandy compost, except when the plants have 

 been cut up for increase; in which case ; for the first potting 

 they should have a sandy soil of a rather poor character, 

 and be put into pots as small as possible. But when they 

 have made new growth, and require more room, the soil 

 should be a rich, strong loam, the pots should be large in 

 proportion to the plants, and from June to August they 

 should stand in pans of water. By this treatment they 

 will make a grand growth, and flower finely. During 

 winter a stable or shed will suffice to shelter them, but the 

 best j>la,ce is a plant-house, heated sufficiently to keep out 

 frost. It is a good practice to shift the plants into pots 

 one size larger than the last when growth commences in 

 the spring, and to continue this practice until they become 

 too large for the purposes required, when they may be 

 divided by carefully cutting through at the crown, while 

 being cautious not to seriously mutilate the roots. Each 

 piece removed should have a bunch of roots of its own ; 

 and if these are unmanageable when they are potted, they 

 may be shortened, but must not be severely cut back. For 

 some time after the divided pieces have been potted in 

 small pots very little water should be given. To be out 

 of doors from the 1st of May to the 1st of October will 

 suit the agapanthus well. 



There are some half-dozen varieties of Aga.joant7t.us 



