THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 201 



really necessary ; the cuttings will strike anywhere, provided they 

 get warmth and moisture, in combination with a close atmosphere 

 and sufficient light ; a mixture of equal parts loam, peat, and leaf- 

 mould, with a sixth part of silver or river sand, will grow and colour 

 them to perfection. The plants must be kept leather potbound, and 

 close to the glass, to develop the true colour. An intermediate 

 house is the best for growing the plants in, as they get coarse and 

 run out of character when kept in too great a heat. The plants 

 can be grown in the shape of bushes or allowed to run up one stem ; 

 I think the latter is the best for the table, as the leaves get so much 

 larger, and, consequently, have a better effect. Potting on and 

 pinching into shape are all that is necessary, beyond the usual 

 routine of watering, etc., to get large specimens. A few of the 

 latter should be grown for cutting from through the winter, for 

 epergne dressing. A few healthy shoots intermixed with the flowers 

 and fern fronds have a grand effect. A temperature of 50°, with a 

 moderate amount of air, and just sufficient water at the roots to 

 keep the plants fresh, will suit them admirably. To get the true 

 colour properly developed the plants must be kept near the glass, 

 with full exposure to the light, excepting when the sun is very 

 bright, and then a thin shade will be beneficial. 



EAISING- AMARYLLIS FROM SEED. 



BY J. BAXTEK, 

 Head Gardener to C. Keizer, Esq., Broxbourne. 



f|HEjN[ a few of the erroneous ideas which exist in rela- 

 tion to the culture of these beautiful bulbs can be 

 dispelled, we may venture to hope that they will 

 receive a fuller recognition from plant-growers of all 

 grades than at present. Until that is accomplished it 

 is of little use to expect seeing them taking a leading position amongst 

 decorative plants. There has been as much nonsense written upon 

 Amaryllis culture, as upon any other subject that can be men- 

 tioned. I believe that quite fifteen out of every twenty writers who 

 handle the theme have no real practical knowledge of the matter in 

 hand, and thus the errors promulgated many years back by some 

 ignorant scribe, are handed down from one to the other with the 

 same religious care as precious heirlooms in ancient families pass 

 from father to son. In almost all treatises upon the management 

 of the Amaryllis, we read directions for starting the bulbs in 

 " strong bottom-heat," for " placing the bulbs upon, or close to, the 

 flue or hot-water pipes, during the season of rest," and other points 

 which are as injurious as they are unnecessary for the production 

 of a strong growth and good flowers. 



I shall frame my remarks in direct reference to raising Amaryllis 

 from seed, because that is really the only means by which a stock can 

 be got up in a short time, and at little expense. I want to see these 

 things grown in large quantities for conservatory decoration, and 



