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EOTAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



XVIII. The Aloe, its Habits arid Culture. By Mrs. M. E. 

 Barber. (Communicated by Dr. J. D. Hooker, C.B., 

 F.K.S., &c.) 



During my residence in South Africa I have had much expe- 

 rience in the growth and cultivation of Aloes ; and probably a 

 few remarks upon their habits, growth, and culture may prove 

 of service to those who, like myself, esteem this ornamental 

 group of plants. 



The genus Aloe, Linn., has a wide range in this country, its 

 numerous species occurring in all rocky localities throughout the 

 land ; wherever rocks are found there are the Aloes also, cropping 

 out (if I may be allowed the expression) with the geological for- 

 mations of the country, as if they formed a part of them, de- 

 corating each knoll and cliff with their gay blossoms in great 

 profusion aud variety, from the gigantic Aloe of the Transkeian 

 territory (A. zeyheri), which attains the height of sixty feet, and 

 the tall graceful wood Aloes, to the sturdy stout-built Aloe of 

 the cliff, and the minute lizardtail-like species that are scattered 

 amongst the grass, each filling its peculiar locale to complete the 

 character of the landscape and to render it truly South Afri- 

 can in appearance. 



One of the greatest peculiarities pertaining to this genus is, that 

 although many of the species are very nearly allied, and differ but 

 little in appearance from each other, and are also found inhabit- 

 ing the same localities, yet they do not blossom simultaneously, 

 as do many other kinds of nearly allied plants ; the Aloes blossom 

 in succession, one after another, throughout the whole of the 

 winter months, and during a great portion of the early spring 

 season. 



The long tubular flowers of the Aloe are well supplied wdth 

 nectar, and this provision affords during the winter season a con- 

 tinued store of food for our beautiful " sun-birds " (the numerous 

 species of the genus Nectarinia) ; for without the supply of food 

 afforded them by the Aloes blossoming in succession these birds 

 could not exist during the winter. 



In the cultivation of Aloes, it as well to bear in mind that 

 they grow equally well with or without roots ; there is scarcely 

 any perceptible difference, in the time required for their reesta- 

 blishment, between an Aloe carefully dug out of the ground with 

 all its roots and a rootless branch that has been broken or 



