Page:The Amateur's Greenhouse and Conservatory.djvu/219

Rh and decidedly scanty supplies during winter, but they must not be allowed to become quite dry at any time. They are increased from suckers and imported seeds.

.&mdash;These are distinct and noble plants, well adapted to give a fine character to the conservatory in the winter, and a touch of tropical tone to the flower garden in the summer. The compost should be three parts good loam and one part each of peat and sharp sand. Give plenty of water all the summer, and very little all the winter.

.&mdash;This glorious family furnishes a number of remarkably noble conservatory plants that are nearly hardy; and a still greater number of richly coloured plants that are rather tender. Among the conservatory kinds D. australis, D. cannafolia, D. indivisa, and D. robusta are the hardiest; and, with the exception of those with coloured leaves which require warmth, the handsomest. To grow them well is such an easy matter that it only needs to be said that a compost consisting chiefly of good peat with a little loam will suit them, and that they must have plenty of water when growing. They are propagated in various ways but chiefly by cuttings or by circumposition. The last named process consists in attaching by the aid of a flower pot cut through from top to bottom, a body of soil to the stem of the plant. When roots have been thrown out the stem is cut through and a ready made plant is the result. Soon afterwards the remainder of the stem throws out shoots and forms a bushy plant, every stem of which may in time be circumposed if stock is wanted,

.&mdash;A spiny leaved race of curious plants that assort well both as to appearance and treatment with agaves. They must however not be kept so dry in winter as agaves. They are increased by suckers. There are not many species in cultivation, and of these D. argentea is the best. It is closely related to Hechtia.

,, and .&mdash;Are to be treated as directed for Cycas, but as they are cooler and dryer plants, care must be taken to provide them with a somewhat stony soil and to guard against giving too much water.

.&mdash;Treat the same as Dasylirion, taking care to put the plants out all the summer.

.&mdash;The plants of this genus closely resemble the