204- THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



obtained these prizes were made up entirely with seedlings of my 

 own raising. 1 place the pots upon the ordinary stages in a plant- 

 house, the temperature of which is generally maintained at about 

 60° by fire-heat. Here they remain until they come into bloom, 

 and then go into the conservatory until the beauty of the flowers is 

 past. During their stay in the conservatory they should have the 

 advantage of a position free from draughts of all kinds. As the 

 flowers fade, they must go back into the house to finish their growth. 



A decided season of rest is essential to the bulbs, but it is by no 

 means necessary to dry half the life out of them in resting them. 

 It is a serious mistake to suppose it to be necessary to place them 

 contiguous to the heating apparatus, and hundreds, nay thousands, of 

 bulbs are injured annually from this cause. I winter mine in an 

 ordinary greenhouse, and stand the pots upon a bed of coal-ashes for 

 the purpose of keeping a moderately moist atmosphere about 

 them. Here it will be necessary to observe that the drying-off must 

 be done in a gradual manner. When this is accomplished properly 

 the foliage will sometimes remain fresh and plump for a couple of 

 months without water. So long as the plants are thoroughly at 

 rest, it matters not whether the foliage dies away altogether, or a 

 few leaves remain green throughout the winter. For my own part, 

 I like to see two or three of the young centre leaves remaining. 

 Bulbs preserved in the way suggested wdl flower with double the 

 strength of others wintered in a roasting temperature. 



With respect to watering, little need be said. When first started, 

 one good watering to wet the soil thoroughly will be required, and 

 then no more must be applied until it gets dry again. From this 

 stage increase the supply according to the progress the growth is 

 making, by giving it at more frequent intervals. Of course when in 

 full growth more liberal supplies will be necessary, but over- 

 watering must be carefully guarded against in all stages. This 

 precaution is particularly necessary in dealing with those newly- 

 potted. After the first year regular supplies of weak manure 

 water will be of great assistance in promoting a vigorous growth. 

 When the full growth is made the water must be given at longer 

 intervals, but the foliage must not be allowed to shrivel or flag, but 

 die ofl' in a gradual and natural manner. 



MUSHROOM CULTURE. 



BY NATHAN COLE, 

 Head Gardener at Kensington Palace Gardens. 



[HE mushroom, Agaricus campestris, is such a genera- 

 favourite with ali classes, from the peer to the peasant, 

 that I may be pardoned for offering a few remarks upon 

 its culture. The mushroom can be grown under a great 

 diversity of circumstances and situations. Good crops 

 can be had from out of doors, from an ordinary cellar, from a well- 



