THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



153 



a clear rose purple in the evening and by morning has become 

 pure white. This latter color is not the white of faded flowers 

 — the blossoms are as fresh and strong as when they first 

 unfolded their petals. Other plants of the same species grow- 

 ing near this specimen do not run this gamut of color changes 

 in blooming and the faculty of doing so seems to be an indi- 

 vidual peculiarity. That it adds greatly to the attractiveness 

 of the plant can well be imagined. 



The Century Plant. — There are numerous misinterpre- 

 tations still clinging around the century plant, despite the fact 

 that it is now so commonly grown. It is surprising that people 

 so well informed on other subjects stih chng to the old notion 

 that it only blooms once in a hundred years. 



It is equally surprising to many to learn that, while the 

 plant rarely blossoms in the North, such a demonstration is not 

 a desirable one. For the strength concentrated in that mighty 

 floral eftort, as ungainly and stiff as anything ever shown in 

 nature, is fatal to the plant. So those who have finely 

 developed specimens of the agave should waste no time in long- 

 ing for blossoms. The main beauty, in fact, the only beauty, is 

 in the leaves, those with variegated foliage being greatly pre- 

 ferable. During the summer season, this plant thrives best 

 when kept well watered, with a weekly allowance of liquid 

 manure or other fertilizer. In winter it should be kept in a 

 warm, dry place and watered only sparingly if at all. The scale 

 is its chief insect enemy. This is easily seen on the smooth, 

 large leaves, and as readily routed with whale oil soap or any 

 of the other standard insecticides. — Bessie L. Putnam. 



Viola Pedata. — Apropos of the editor's note on the dis- 

 tribution of Viola pedata, I find a sheet of this species collected 

 for me by Miss Margaret R. Adams at Columbus Junction, 

 Iowa, Alay 1, 1902, with the strongly contrasted petals. The 

 flowers are 3.5 centimeters across and the leaves are lightly 

 pubescent, perhaps better, puberulent. This is the latitude of 

 Keokuk and adds another western state to the list of those in 

 which this form has been found. My eastern plants have 

 flowers about half as large as the Iowa plant. The western 

 form is certainlv a beautv. — /. il/. Bates, Red Cloud, Xeb. 



