298 THE FLORIST. 



required. Scarlet Geraniums we put into very small pots, and place 

 them in the windows of rooms not often used. A temporary shelf, 

 supported on brackets on a level with the window-seat, will hold 

 a great number. We have just placed sixty Geraniums in such a 

 situation, the shelf being four feet long and eighteen inches broad. 

 When there is danger from frost, we shall move them to the other 

 side of the room, opposite to the window. Of course, these hints 

 are not intended for those who have greenhouses. 



The Bury, Luton. Henry Burgess. 



POT-CULTURE OF JAPAN LILIES. 



It is a matter of surprise and regret with me that I do rfot more fre- 

 quently meet with these noble autumnal flowers in the collections of 

 amateurs, for they are, in my estimation, the most beautiful of all 

 our autumn flowering plants ; and then they are so easily managed, 

 and occupy so little house-room, that they are just suited for persons 

 who can afford only a limited space for one kind of plant. I some- 

 times meet with persons who entertain the idea, that, because they 

 are so truly beautiful, they must be difficult to manage, and, in con- 

 sequence, they neglect their culture altogether. Now I find them the 

 least troublesome of all my favourites, and the most certain to reward 

 me for the little trouble and attention they receive. My method of 

 cultivating them is simple and soon told ; and I have no doubt that 

 any amateur commencing their cultivation, by attending to the follow- 

 ing directions, will be equally successful with myself. 



Let us begin with the bulbs in the condition in which they are 

 usually found in the beginning of November, when they have done 

 flowering. Some of mine have just gone out of flower; others are 

 well ripened, and ready for repotting. But as their treatment after 

 flowering is of great importance, w r e will suppose that they have just 

 dropt their blossoms. Remove them to a rather warm situation, and 

 as dry as you can command, and give them little or no more w T ater. 

 I generally water lightly two or three times after my plants are placed 

 in circumstances to ripen. A warm greenhouse or pit, kept rather 

 close, if not moist, will effect this important desideratum perfectly. 

 As soon as the bulbs are sufficiently matured, which will be known 

 by the decay of the leaves and stems, they had better be repotted ; 

 not that this is of importance at present, but it will economise space, 

 and prevent the operation being neglected until after they have made 

 fresh roots. The soil in which they have been growing ought to be 

 entirely removed from the bulbs, and the latter divided as may be 

 thought proper, for there will always be found about the crown of 

 the parent some small bulbs, which may be placed in 4-inch pots. 

 If the ripening process has been complete, the roots will not be trou- 

 blesome ; but if not, there will be found a quantity of fresh roots 

 remaining. When such is the case, I leave them to themselves for 

 some time longer, for I never pot while I require to cut or break the 



