June, 1889. 
123 
ORCH RR D 
AND 
■VkAAAAAA'" 
Adam’s Needle. 
Yucca filamentosa is a native of our South- 
era States, but sufficiently hardy to be suc- 
cessfully grown in the latitude of New 
York, and even farther north with a slight 
protection. The foliage somewhat resem- 
bles that of the Aloe. It is a plant of strik- 
ing form that is sure to arrest attention. It 
seems naturally to find a place in old-fash- 
ioned grave-yards as well as in the modern 
cemetery, and as an ornamental plant de- 
serves a place in the flower border and on 
the lawn. It may be readilj recognized by 
the long, thread-like filaments that grow 
along the margin of the leaves. These 
thread-like appendages have given rise to 
several names, such as Eve’s Thread and 
Bear’s Thread, but the plant is most com- 
monly known as Adam's Needle. The scape 
or flower stalk of a well-established plant 
grows five or six feet high, and produces 
from two to three hundred flowers of a 
creamy white, which last a long time. 
The accompanying illustration (Fig. 810) 
presents a good idea of the form of the 
plant, as well as its appearance when in 
bloom. A reference to the illustration will 
show the Yucca to be a plan 
of very stately appearance. The 
vi onder is that it is not more 
commonly grown. It is prop- 
agated from seeds, suckers, 
and root cuttings, suckers be- 
ing preferred, as they soonest 
make large plants. 
There is quite a pretty varie- 
gated form of Yucca filamentosa , 
but it is rarely seen, except 
here and there under glass, 
where its variegation becomes 
more pronounced than in the 
open air. The variegation con- 
sists of a white stripe along t lie 
margin of the leaves. The varie- 
gated form does not sucker as 
freely as the type, but may be 
readily propagated from root 
cuttings. The Yucca grows 
best in a light soil, and will even eke out 
an existence in pure sand; but it is worthy 
of something better. — P. B. Mead. 
Floral Notes. 
A really blue Chinese Primrose seems now 
to be an assured fact. For two years past we 
have had from imported seed flowers that 
showed adecided tinge of blue; rather dull, 
to be sure, but still blue. We learn that 
some English specialists are working up 
this tint with gratifying success, and we 
shall doubtless ere long have Chinese Prim- 
ulas of a blue color quite as pronounced as 
the reds. The blue pigment is in the 
flower, and it only needs the patience of an 
intelligent specialist to develop it, let us 
hope into something like the exquisite sky- 
blue of Ipomcea rubra-ccerulea, the most 
beautiful of all the Ipomoeas. Blue Chinese 
Primroses may sound a little odd at first; 
but, from what we have seen, we are 
already prepared to admire them. We 
venture to hope that the change in the color 
may not impair the vigor of the plant. 
The best way to care for the bulbs of the 
Freesia during summer happens to be the 
fold, and their enjoyment be greatly pro- 
longed. The water should be changed occa- 
sionally. 
Portulaca grandiflora, from which we get 
our garden varieties, is pre-eminently am id- 
, summer plant. The seeds, like the seeds of 
most tropical plants, will not vegetate in 
the open air until decidedly warm weather 
sets in. This is seen in the common Purs- 
lane ( Portulaca oleracea,) which seldom 
troubles us much before midsummer. It is 
a waste of time, therefore, to sow the seeds 
of Portulaca early; and this a great many 
people do not seem to understand. Though 
May now promises to be unusually warm, 
June will be time enough to sow the seeds 
of these beautiful little annuals, or at least 
it will not be too late. The seeds are very 
small, and should be sown on the surface 
and pressed in. They may be sown broad- 
cast or in drills. If sown broadcast, rough- 
en up the surface a little with a rake, sow 
the seeds, and then flatten the surface with 
a spade or piece of board. 
The Portulaca transplants very easily, 
either large or small. If sown where the 
plants are to remain, only thinning out will 
be necessary. The surplus plants may be 
put wherever a place can be found for 
them, or given to some neighbor who has 
none. The Portulaca will bloom in perfec- 
I tion only in a sunny exposure. 
By all means sow some seeds 
of the double varieties. All 
will not come double, but a 
goodly number will. The sin- 
gle ones can be pulled out as 
they appear. The double vari- 
eties have often been likened 
to miniature Roses, which they 
resemble very closely. They 
are simply charming. 
Yucca Filamentosa. Adam’s Needle. Fi^. 810. 
least troublesome one. Set the pots in 
some shady place out of doors, and the 
plants will take care of themselves without 
further trouble. Rain as it may, it will not 
hurt them. They must be watered as usual, 
however, till the foliage has turned brown; 
but turning them out of the pots and pack- 
ing away in sand or in paper bags is an 
unnecessary trouble. 
Those who have a good supply of the 
Gladiolus should continue to plant a few at 
intervals up to the middle of June for late 
bloom. Probably not more than half the 
flowers of those last planted will be open 
on the approach of sharp frosts; but if the 
stalks be cut off and placed in water in any 
suitable receptacle, all the flowers will un- 
If seeds of the Pot Marigold 
“Meteor” (Calendula officinalis 
plena ) be sown now, they will 
make fine blooming plants for 
early autumn. The flower is 
quite double, the color a bright 
buff, with a white stripe in 
each petal. The plant flowers 
freely and continuously, and 
is well worth growing. “Nan- 
keen” is a flower of recent introduction, of 
a more pronounced yellow, but striped in 
the same way as “Meteor.” It was intro- 
duced as an improvement of “ Meteor;” 
but it is not likely to displace it. — P. B. 
Mead. 
The Cockscomb. 
One of the best plants for amateurs to try 
their skill in growing, is the common cocks- 
comb, which, under high culture and by 
judicious applications of liquid manure, 
may be made to produce flower heads of 
immense size. In England it is very popu- 
lar among the masses, and always apptars 
prominently at the summer flower shows. 
Its flower is exceedingly handsome and 
well worthy of special pains. 
