could not fail, even at that period, to excite consid- 
erable interest in the circle of zealous and learned 
simplers to whom it was familiar ; still, it must then 
have been a matter of very little importance to the 
multitude. How different would it be in the present 
day ! Thousands would now experience the plea- 
surable excitement ; and with all the anxious antici- 
pation of an Isaac Walton at the rippling- stream, 
would wait in fond hope of possessing, or even see- 
ing the much-talked-of exotic. 
Three hundred years ago, the man of education, 
with boorish unconcern, would press the sweets be- 
neath his feet, regardless of their beauty, and of 
their origin. But in this age of knowledge, extend- 
ing from the throne to the cottage, to disregard, or 
betray ignorance of the vegetable world, by which 
we are every where surrounded, is a censure on the 
mind, or pursuits, of every individual claiming the 
distinction of respectability in society. 
In rich loam, with a dry subsoil, it will succeed 
in full exposure; but if kept in large pots, and 
sheltered in frosty weather, these plants may be dis- 
posed, during summer, with good effect about the 
lawn, the terrace, or open parts of the garden. As 
the Yucca grows old so its lowermost foliage decays, 
leaving a thick bare stalk, a foot or two above the 
soil. In our climate its height is extremely variable ; 
its age before flowering also varies from five to 
fifteen years, and its subsequent intervals of flower- 
ing are quite uncertain. 
It may be increased by suckers, which should be 
taken off and laid two or three days to dry, and then 
be planted in pots of rich loamy soil, in a hotbed. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 2, 291. 
