772 



THE 



BOOK OF 



GARDEXIXG. 



Fig. ;i2. — Agave americaxa. 



drooping strap-like leaves are banded with pure white (Fig. 

 -12, ). an^d armed with spines of a similar colour. Plenty of water 



in summer and ver\' little 

 * in the winter, and a good 

 rich soil, are the conditions 

 under which these plants 

 will flourish in our homes. 

 There are several 

 Eulalias with varie- 

 gated foHa2:e which 

 make most graceful 

 pot-plants, and which 

 may be grown with- 

 out much trouble. 

 * £. japo?iica foliis- 

 variegata is one of 

 the best. These 

 plants should have 

 plenty of water in 

 summer. 



To the above fairly long list of plants which are chiefly 

 grown for their foliage, we might well add such subjects as Rex 

 Bes^onias and the 

 lovely Coleus : but, 

 ornamental as these 

 undoubtedly are, 

 they require some- 

 thino; more than an 



* — 



ordinary window to 

 increase the stock, 

 and for details as to 

 their propagation the 

 reader is referred to 

 the Chapter On 

 Beddins Plants."" 

 There are a number 

 of very useful Coni- 

 fers which misht be 

 utilised even for in- 

 door decoration, but 

 they are certainly 

 more at home in 

 rhe outside window 

 boxes, and they will 

 be dealt with later 

 in that connection. 



Ferns, again, constitute some of the hardiest and most useful 

 window and room plants that can be named. 



Fig 513. — Paxdaxus Caxdzlaesoi vasjegatus. 



