We class this splendid subject among neglected plants, because in the few places where it is seen, it is hardly worthy of the name, from the imperfect manner in which its growth and flowers, in nearly all cases appear. It may be familiar with some of our readers when described as aleeky-looking plant, with an upright stem,and a small mop-like head of blue or whitish flowers. Being unable to sustain itself through our sharp frosts, it is usually grown in pots, but as it is very nearly hardy, it is too often kept among the plants of secondary importance, in the cold frames or pits. Like all other subjects of which the head of flowers is the leading object, there should never be a second head allowed on the plant, and the offsets should be removed as soon as they are large enough to take off. The usual culture is marked by that kind of inattention that is seen to result in the starvation of the plant, and the consequent smallness of its bloom. They are potted and put among the ordinary miscellaneous contents of a cold frame; they have to endure all sorts of privations and visitations calculated to hurt plants: the want of water and room to grow in, and the hot beams of the sun to bake up the root, are their lot at one season; and at another, they are deprived of air and suffer damp.

In short, they are fairly classed among neglected plants, and it matters not how soon they are rescued from the degraded rank they at present hold. We have seen, by the occasional introduction of the plant in flower among the collections at the shows, the state in which modern gardeners think it exhibitable. To us, who have seen the head of flowers twice as large, and the growth of the plant handsome, the best we have ever seen at exhibitions was a comparative weed. The only way to grow it is as a single plant; no offsets should be allowed on any condition to grow large enough to rob the parent of any nutrition, for although offsets may have their own roots, and may not receive much nourishment direct from the principal plant the roots themselves take from the soil that which the main plant requires. The rules may be laid down something after this fashion for the production of the Agapanthna in its best possible state. We might observe, perhaps, that although the several kinds will supply bloom collectively from April till October, Agapanthus umbellatus is our favorite.

This and A. variegatus bloom in April and May, praecox in June and July, minor in August and September, and albidus in September and October. All are pretty.

These plants should be separated every year, and the separate plants potted in the sine best adapted for the roots, in most cases sice 32; in some cases, if smaller plants, the size 48 will do to commence. The soil should be the richest loam obtained .from rotted turf, three-fourths, one-fourth cow dung and sand, with the impurities of every kind washed out. Choose a plant with a good solid heart and plenty of leaves, place potsherds or crocks about two inches thick in the bottom, and plant the subject so that the collar shall be close up to the surface, that is to say, the root only shall be underneath, for if the heart of the plant is sunk at all, it retards the healthy growth, and blanches the leaves. "Let this be done in autumn, and place them in a green-house, but where no fire is kept, or in a-brick pit thai is very dry with a hard bottom, and so contrived that wot shall run off when it ran through the pots; give air in mild weather by entirely removing the lights, but when the winds are cold or boisterous, or the rain cold as well as when frosty, keep the lights on and close down, or tilted a little on the side or end opposite the weather.

What is required is steady growth without checks.

When the pots are filled with roots let the plants be shifted to those of a larger size, and remove all the side shoots or suckers with a sharp knife, or by pulling off without disturbing the ball of earth any more than can be helped. You want all the growth in one central heart or plant, and nothing to detract from it. They may then be returned to the frame, and greater care should be taken than ever to prevent a check. Also the suckers must be removed directly as they appear, and not be allowed to grow at all. If the shift be-Sure is from forty-eights to thirty-twos, they must next be changed to twenty-fours, and from these to sixteens, but the latter shift may not be required till the spring. The rule in So shift them when the roots begin to mat or cross one another next the side of the pot It may happen that in March or April they throw up their flower stem, and the instant they show this the ball should be examined, to see if the roots reach the side; if they do, give them another shift, whatever size they may be in, and water freely, but never let them be watered when the soil is moist. They are now doubly sensible of a check, and therefore require the more care. They like to be oool, but never cold.

If they bloom the first spring after planting, it is never so large as when they go over a second; but with care the bloom of a first spring is twice the size of those we are used to see in plants neglected in the ordinary way, by being thrust with other half-hardy things in a cold frame, sometimes only half glased, sometimes open in bad weather, and at other times closed in mild. Continue to remove suckers or offsets until the bloom is over. Those plants which do not throw up their flower must be attended to in the same way throughout a second Season, and during the summer months must not be subjected to the full influence of the sun all day. They should be placed on a dry bottom, where they will have only the morning and evening sun, and not the full mid-day beams, for it only dries up their roots next the pot, and checks them as fatally as frost would in winter. Nor must they be exposed to heavy rains. The best management through the summer is to keep them in the pots, bat to cover them in the middle of the day with the glass, tilted all round, and a slight transparent cloth upon the glass.

We are prepared to hear many say, this is taking a great deal of useless trouble, but if they will try a few this way, and let the others remain neglected as usual, with the offsets accumulating in the pots, and the plants sometimes wet and sometimes dry, sometimes burning in the sun, and at other times perished with the frost or cold winds, they will soon admit that they have never seen the Agapanthus um-bellatus in its true character; for in perfection it is a noble plant.