There are very few people that have had the good fortune to see the large century plant in bloom. For although it does not take a hundred years to mature, as its name would lead one to think, still the flowers are very rare, not only from the reason that it takes a long time before they are produced, but also because the plant becomes so large that very few persons are able to take care of it, as it must be brought in-doors in winter.

The one here represented was exhibited about 20 years ago on a private estate in German town, Pa. The owner, Mr. Carpenter, kindly threw his grounds open to the public. The plant, as near as I could estimate, was at least 20 feet high. It grew in a tub about 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet 6 inches high. The shaft at its point of emergence from among the immense leaves was 4 inches in diameter, and tapered gracefully to the summit where it was surmounted by a cone-shaped cluster of canary yellow flowers. This cluster was fully five feet high and three feet in diameter. It was very graceful and symmetrical, and constantly surrounded by innumerable bees. The plant attracted a great many visitors. Indeed it is such a rare thing to see one in bloom, that a few years ago, when one was exhibited on Chestnut street, in Philadelphia, the owners charged 25 cents admission, and throngs went to see it. - William Graf, Philadelphia, Penn.