306 THE ELORAL \YOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



in this country over two hundred years, having been introduced about 

 the year 1640, and is perfectly hardy. Perhaps I had better give a 

 short description of what kind of plant this is, for so few people 

 know anything about it. Not more than one gardener in every 

 hundred could tell me whether it is an exotic, orchid, or an alpine ; 

 but it happens to be neither. It is an herbaceous perennial, with 

 moderate-sized leaves of a dark-green colour, and something like 

 Coleiis Gihsoni in shape. It is rather a dwarf grower until it is 

 coming into flower, when the flower-stalks run up from one to three 

 feet in height, according to the strength of the respective plants. 

 The flowers are dark blue, rather small, and produced in enormous 

 heads ranging from four to twelve inches across. So much for the 

 description, which conveys but a poor idea of its beauty. Now for 

 a few words about growing it, and I hope to be sufficiently clear to 

 be understood. 



Traclieliums can be increased in two ways ; the first is by seeds 

 and the second by cuttings. It is of very little use to say anything 

 about the latter method; nobody has plants to cut from, or at all 

 events next to nobody. I know of but two gardeners who grow it, 

 and I dare say they might get up a few thousands, for I am sure 

 that, since they have become fully alive to its value for conservatory 

 decoration, they have grown it largely. E-aising a stock from seed 

 is the simplest way to deal with them, and the one I shall recom- 

 mend. The first thing to do will be to invest threepence or four- 

 pence in a packet of seed. I forget the exact price. I suppose most 

 of the large houses would supply it, but I can only find it entered 

 in Carter's and the two Hendersons' catalogues. The seed should 

 be sown afc once in a pan, in the same way as cinerarias, use the 

 same kind of soil. Prick off into small pots when the plants are 

 large enough to handle, keep them in these until Pebruary, and then 

 shift into 32's, or, if extra-sized plants are wanted, into 24's. Use 

 much the same kind of soil as advised for the everlastings ; keep in 

 cold frame until the coldest of the weather is past, when they can 

 be brought out of doors, and placed in a shady position or grown in- 

 doors. Where the room is limited, the best way is to bring them 

 out of doors. I need not go into minor matters at any length, for 

 the treatment which the cinerarias receive will suit it up to the time 

 the plants are brought out of the houses. All that is necessary to 

 be done after then is to keep the plants well watered, with a taste 

 of manure-water now and then, and support the flower-stalks with 

 neat sticks to prevent their getting broken about. The plants should 

 be removed into the conservatory directly the flowers begin to expand, 

 for rain and wind will injure flowers of every description when fully 

 expanded. As a matter of course, it is as well to keep them good 

 and in a fresh condition as long as possible. 



The last subject that I shall notice is the beautiful Eucomis 

 undulata. This equals many of the orchids in point of beauty and 

 fragrance when done well. This is not half so much grown as its 

 bea"uty deserves, especially as it flowers in August, when indoor 

 flowers are considered scarce. The reason of this not being grown 

 so extensively as its merits deserve, is simply because many people 



