24 APRIL 1953, Page 16

Blue Arrican Lilies

SIR,—I am sorry to read from Sir Compton Mackenzie's animadversions on the " flaccid green straps " and " invalidism " of the agapanthus that he does not consider it a lily. .0n referring to Sanders' authoritative Encyclopaedia of Gardening, which bases its nomenclature on Kew and botanical experts, I find "Agapanthus—order Liliaceae." Certainly the arum or calla " lily " is of the order Aroideie; and the belladonna " lily " of the order Amaryllis; but the agapanthus indubitably and fittingly takes its place among the lilies.—Yours faithfully,