February 4, 1905. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
91 
the case with E. arborea, it is slightly tender, especially when 
v()UI1 (r Between E. lusitanica and E. arborm, Mr. \ eitcli, o 
Exeter, has obtained a hybrid which is very flonferous and 
inherits good qualities from both parents. 0 . , 
E mediterranea is found in South-west France, Spam, and 
some parts of Ireland. It forms a dense bush 4 ft, to 6 ft 
occasionally more, in height when mature. When young, it 
mows rapidly, increasing in height more slowly after attaining 
* i iir ht of 2i ft. or 3 ft. The flowers are red, and borne from 
March to May. It has been grown for upwards of three cen- 
turies and is only injured by exceptionally severe winters. 
Loudon mentions plants being killed to the ground at Syon 
House during the winter 1837-8 which were over 10 ft, high 
a ] ia d stood for upwards of half a century. There are several 
varieties, of which the best are alba, hibernica, hybrida, and 
na< The variety hybrida desei-ves a. special word of praise. 
It, is considered to be a hybrid between E. carnea and E. medi¬ 
terranea the flowers being more like those of the first-named. 
It mows from 1 ft. to H ft. in height, and blooms with ex- 
cetrtional freedom, the flowering time being longer than that 
of mv other shrub, as it begins in November and lasts until 
mid-April. _ D - V ' 
Agave americana. 
The leaves are a bluish-green or a glaucous colour armed 
aloncr the margin and at the point with stout, brown spines. 
This plant flowered last autumn at. the Maples, belonging to 
Captain Giles, Yentnor, Isle of Wight. The plant was planted 
twenty-six years ago by Mr. Trim, the head gardener. The 
flower-stem from base to top of flower is 22J ft. high. The 
flowers are yellow. , , , 
Mr. Trim informed me that he took it from a tub when he 
planted it, so he cannot give the age of the plant, but it had 
no protection whatever. F - Attrill. 
[Specimens from 18 ft. to 20 ft. in height, grown and flowered 
in tubs, are considered good examples of the kind. If the 
plant here figured had been planted out earlier in deep, 
richly manured soil, the flower-stem iii all probability would 
have been taller. Under the circumstances, however, it is a 
good example, of the American Aloe, grown and bloomed m 
the open air in Britain.— Ed.] 
The Gloxinia. 
At the present season of the year this subject is, or 
should be to the gardener who has the necessary convenience, 
one well worthy of careful consideration, to those desiious 
of a most beautiful display of delicate blooms, with a little 
judicious management it is capable of giving this during the 
months of June, July, and August. It will prove a credit to 
the cultivator if the necessary attention be given. 
Therefore a start should be, made by seed-sowing in pots of 
very light sandy soil, spreading the seed, which is very minute, 
thinly over the surface. The pots are then placed in a brisk 
bottom heat, and a piece of glass over each. The seeds will 
soon germinate, and as soon as the, tiny plants are large enough 
to handle, they should be pricked off into other pots filled with 
light sandy soil, placing ten or twelve in each. Ihese in turn 
should be placed in bottom heat so as to encourage the tiny 
plants to grow as rapidly as possible. By potting the plants 
singly into small pots as soon as it can be done, and again 
into 48-size, tubers will be obtained that will flower in July 
and August. One great advantage obtained from seedlings is 
that you secure an almost endless variety of colour. 
About the first week in February those tubers which have 
been put away for their period of rest must, be examined. 
Clean off all the old soil ready for new life. Boxes should be 
employed for this purpose, placing a little drainage at the 
bottom, following with a layer of cocoanut fibre in which to 
lay the tubers. These should be placed in the warmest part 
of the stove or propagating pit, where growth will soon be in 
progress. Some, of course, will be found lo start much sooner 
than others, therefore potting should be done as required. 
A suitable soil is a matter of great importance, and one that 
I have found to suit them admirably is two parts soft fibroin 
loam, one part leaf-soil, one cocoanut fibre and sphagnum 
Agave americana in the Isle of Y ight. 
moss, charcoal broken to the size, of marbles, and a liberal addi¬ 
tion of coarse silver sand. You will observe that I do not 
recommend the addition of manure, as it is best to water twice 
a week with some weak manure water. At the flowering 
season this adds to the size and intensity of the colour of the 
flowers. 
Potting also is a matter of great importance, and at all times 
should be done with the utmost care to avoid the damaging of 
foliage. Therefore I do not recommend squeezing the tubers 
