150 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
able signs of growing, then I made the common mistake of putting 
it near a constantly opened window ; but here it was not happy and 
did not do well ; then, as it was found to be in the way in this 
place, it was removed to a side table, where it had very little direct 
light, and was half forgotten ; with this treatment it began to thrive 
splendidly, and grew into a really good plant. 
Now came the season for leaving town, and I soon heard that 
“ the lily ” had been taken downstairs for safe keeping. This news 
was not reassuring ; but still, if left alone upstairs, it seemed 
probable the poor plant might suffer from neglect. Then I heard to 
my dismay that “the lily” having begun to grow sickly, though 
carefully given all the air they could, had at last been put out 
altogether for its greater well-being, and before I could come to its 
rescue my poor plant, my little hero of a hundred fights, was dead. 
The editor of the Gardener's Chronicle, in a note appended to 
Miss Hope’s article, says the Goethe plant is common in the 
nurseries. I have never myself been able to meet with it, no doubt 
owing to my not having known its scientific name ; but let me urge 
any of your readers who are in the habit of making a kind of friend 
of their plants to try the Clorophytum Sterbergianum, for as a 
cheery example of ever- varying interest it is certainly unequalled. 
Only let beginners beware of cutting off the shabby, awkward- 
looking stems that will crop up in all directions as soon as the plant 
is well established; on these the young plants grow. As far as I can 
recollect, there comes first a sort of scaly or sheathlike leaflet, then 
little warty-looking rootlets underneath, these grow into small 
fleshy aerial roots as the leaves grow to a tuft above them, and 
weigh down the stem into its proper place ; should, however, the little 
plant touch soil anywhere and begin to strike into it, the fleshy 
aerial roots change their character and become fibrous. Every now 
and then the plant should be sprinkled overhead with a brush dipped 
in water, while the roots should be kept moderately damp ; watering 
must depend on the temperature of the room, and in frosty weather 
it is dangerous to let it get wet, otherwise it is not all particular as 
to its treatment, always excepting draught or wind. 
The flowers, although interesting and adding much to the 
general beauty of the plant, do not attract much attention. They are 
rather tall, feathery, and insignificant as to size and colour, but still 
give a lightness and grace to the whole. 
The Goethe plant would be beautiful on the stage of a conservatory 
by allowing the runners to trail amongst and hide the pots of other 
subjects, and it has a fine effect indoors mixed with ferns, tulips, and 
other spring bulbs, giving them the appearance of growing out of 
grass. These, later in the season, could be changed for gladioli, 
etc., which also have a fine effect. However arranged as to detail, 
the grand charm of the Goethe plant will always be its adaptability 
for drawing-room decoration. H. R. 
[Having grown this plant many years under the name of Cordylinc vivipara, we 
can testify that it loves a partial light and a still atmosphere, and, consequently, is 
■well-adapted for growing in a room ; but we cannot agree with Miss Hope or her 
friend H. E. in their praise of its beauty, and the figure in the Chronicle does not 
say mirch for it. — En. F.W.] 
