Another old favorite, and justly so. On account of its large, tropical foliage it is very attractive when not in bloom. When it sends up flower-stalks three and four feet in length, crowned with what are generally considered to be flowers of ivory-white, it is a most ornamental plant. What most persons take to be a flower is really a spathe, enclosing a spadix along which the true flowers are borne. These are so small as to be unnoticeable.

Plant in rich, mucky soil. Have the pots well drained, and then use a large amount of water. In June put the plants out of doors, turning the pot down on its side under a tree, or alongside a fence. Apply no water and give no attention during the summer. Of course the soil will become perfectly dry, and all the top will die off. But no harm is done, if this happens. The plant is a native of Egypt, growing along the Nile where, during a good share of the year, there are floods, and during the rest of the year drouths. The treatment advised simply imitates the conditions under which the plant grows in its native habitat. In September shake the roots out of the old soil and repot. Growth will begin in a short time after water is given. Apply water, liberally. Use fertilizers as soon as buds show. Shower daily to keep off the red spider.

Most persons remove the offsets which appear about the old roots in large numbers. I would not advise this, for they give you a good deal of foliage about the base of the plants and this is much more attractive than the bare stalks of the leaves sent up from the old roots.