AGAPANTHUS. — AJAX. 



7 



for another season's growth. It is by no means an un- 

 sightly object in the greenhouse during winter, because 

 of its long graceful foliage ; but it should not be stimu- 

 lated into growth. It is propagated by division, or more 

 readily from seed, when it can be obtained fresh. Sow 

 the seed in the greenhouse, in pans ; prick out when the 

 plants are three inches high, and grow until the plants 

 are large enough to flower, shifting as required. If not 

 neglected, they will flower the third year. 



The number of species is quite limited. Although 

 quite a number of varieties are offered, the variation 

 between them is very slight. The following are all that 

 are desirable. 



A. umbellatus. — The type, a native of the Cape of 

 Good Hope. 



A. u. albidus. — A variety with pure white flowers, 

 but differing in no other respect from the type. It- is 

 quite scarce, and good flowering plants are rarely met. 



A. u. variegatus. — This is well worth growing, 

 for its foliage alone. It is not as vigorous a grower as 

 the species, but its leaves are almost pure white, with a 

 few green bands. It grows freely, though the leaves are 

 not as broad or as long as are those of the type ; but 

 with such a growth of graceful foliage, so beautifully 

 variegated, and crowned with an umbel of delicate blue 

 flowers, the plant is an ornament to any situation in 

 which it may be placed. 



A. u. flore-pleno. — This double-flowering form is 

 identical, in all other respects, with the species. We 

 have not seen this variety, but it is described as being 

 very beautiful, the double flowers being more lasting and 

 valuable for bouquets, or other floral work. 



AJAX. 



A synonym of Narcissus Pseudo- Narcissus (Daffodil. ) 



