Evening journal., 1888-07-19
ONCE IN A HUNDRED YEARS.
A Century Plant blooming In the
McOomb Conservntories.

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A century plant In the conservatory Of
Mrs. Elizabeth B. McComb, at Market and |
11th ST. this city, is rapidly coming into !
bloom. The blooming Of century plant
is an important syent ia the floral world
and should cause more than passing inter
est in the world at large. A plant Of this
species under cultivation blooms but once
and then only after having obtained the
age Of from IS to 100 years.
This particular plant is probably so or 80
years old. 1t has been in the possession Of
the McComb family for 20 years or more.
1t was purchased by Colonel MeComb
from an intimate friend OF his, Mr.. KEN
ble Of Claymont. How long Mr.. Kemble
had owned it is not known, but there is
little doubt that the plant is OF the age
stated.
The roots Of the plant are held in large
box Of soil about six feet square by three
deep. The box rests on a low bench in the
centre Of the conservatory. The long
curving leaves OF the plant spread out in
all directions, filling space eight feet or
more in diameter. The plant has a noble,
massive appearance and yet is graceful and
in perfect proportions. The leaves are
from four to six feet in length; all spring
in a roseate from the centre Of the plant
They are four or five inches In thickness
firm and solid, and OF a blueish green
color.
The flowers scape springs from the centre
Of the plant like strong vigorous sapling.
The stack is six inches In diameter at the
lower part. 1t rises TO height of about 20
feet, going through the open ventilator OF
| the conservatory. About half OF the length of
the flower scape is within the conservatory !;
the upper half, bearing the flower
itself, is towering above the glass roof.
The flowers are borne on con-
ical cluster OF branches spripging
from the upper part OF the stalk. There
are about 25 OF these branches extending
about eight feet down the stalk. The cone
of flowers is about Ave feet In diameter at
the lowest part. Each branch is termi-
mated by dense cluster of flower buds,
from which the yellow streamers are just
beginning to show.
When fully matured the flowers will be
of yellowish green color, from two and a
half to three and a half inches long. The
clusters will open oHt and spread more and
when In full bloom will present q
beautiful conical pyramid OF flowers,
nearly 10 feet 10 height. The flowers will
probably be in perfection about the middle
OF August. The gardener first noticed the
Cover scape on the 18th Of April He states
that it grew very rapidly at frat, reaching
height OF 10 feet ia a week or 10 days.
After the flowers fade the plant will die,
having exhausted itself in producing It's
flowers A number Of small plants will be
thrown up from the root. which in time
will produce spikes OF flowers and die like
their parent
The botanical name Of this species Of
century plant is Agave Americana. II i.
a native OF Mexico and South America
The popular name was applied or
account Of the long period OF years.throuRt
which it grows before blooming. On ii
native plains, where ell conditions OF tenn
perature and atmosphere are favorable
the plants bloom at an age OF q
to so years. Under cultivation
with their roots cramped in boxes
often neglected and allowed to be
come dry or chilled, the plant con easily b.
century, or very near. 10 reaching matur
ity and producing its flowers. The cen
tury plant will bloom when Ii has stored
up sufficient vitality in its thick flesh,
leaves to nourish the flowers; whether
takes 90 years or 100.
aWithin Mrs. McComb's conservatory ar
three other large century plants, one o
them a 6ne specimen OF the variegatei
variety, the leaves Of which are stripe,
with white. This plant is as large as Oh
one la bloom and is probably as old. o.
the handsome lawn about the residence ar
set several other fine specimens, all 0
which were raised from the two larg
plants obtained 20 years sgo.