THE FLORAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 135 



EUCOMIS. 



This is certainly one of the grandest subjects we can have for 

 the early part of autumn, as it remains iu flower such a length of 

 time. The flower-spikes arc about two feet in height, the top half 

 resembling a fox-brush in shape, the small waxy flowers being set on 

 so close together. The flowers are white, spotted with rose, and 

 powerfully fragrant. The plant will require much the same treat- 

 ment as advised for the Agapanthus, but should have the protection 

 of the greenhouse all the winter. The way I treat them is to pot 

 three or four bulbs in each pot directly the foliage has died away, 

 and place them in a dry part of the greenhouse ; and, as they begin 

 to push, shift them to a cold frame, and about the second week in 

 May stand them out of doors until they are nicely in flower. When 

 growing under glass, the plants must be close to it and have plenty 

 of air, as the foliage loses that beautiful spotted appearance which 

 contributes so much to its beauty. I only divide them when I want 

 to increase the stock, as specimens with ten or twelve large massive 

 spikes have a noble effect, for at least six weeks, in the conservatory. 

 It will do very well planted close to a wall out of doors, but the wet 

 soon spoils the delicate colour of the flowers. Eucomis punctata and 

 E. rec/ia are the only two I know ; they are both good, but I like the 

 first best. 



THE ELEMANTncS 



Is another fine genus, but quite distinct from anything yet 

 named. It is rather more expensive, too, but it should be grown by 

 everybody who has a greenhouse or conservatory, particularly those 

 who exhibit collections of stove and greenhouse plants in the autumn. 

 The plants require good loam, and peat, and well-decayed leaf-mould, 

 in about equal quantities, and a thorough good drainage of broken 

 crocks. A moderate quantity of water is required through the 

 summer, but only just enough to keep the foliage from drying up 

 through the winter. The foliage of these, like a few others, remains 

 evergreen all the winter ; but, if the plants get too much water, they 

 will assuredly receive considerable injury, and flower unsatisfactorily 

 the following season. If two sorts only are wanted, select H. albi- 

 jlorus, white, and H. coccineus, bright red ; and, for four, add H. 

 pubescens, white, and H. punicens, scarlet. Every one of the four is 

 worth a place iu the most select collection of flowering plants. 



THE PA>'CR1TIUM. 



The species of Pancratium have the good qualities of having 

 handsome, sweetly-scented flowers, which are produced abundantly 

 through the summer. All will do well under similar treatment to 

 that recommended for the Hseinanthus. JP. calatliinum and P. illy- 

 ricum are two of the best. 



The Amaryllids furnish us with a lot of subjects which are both 



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useful and beautiful. Under this heading we have 



