8 



THE FLORIST. 



Lancifolium section. The plants have now reached a stage in their 

 growth when their beauty will increase, as their blooms are succes- 

 sively unfolded. During the time they are in bloom they may occupy 

 various situations: an entrance-hall or lobby; the drawing-room, or 

 under the protection of a veranda ; in each situation they will not fail to 

 be universally admired, for the display of glowing crimson (in various 

 tints) contrasted with the purest white in the same flower, or with 

 white alone in others ; while their graceful habit and the elegance of 

 their lance-shaped leaves, combine in forming a plant of surpassing 

 loveliness. LiHum eximium, and its ally, longiflorum, are plants of 

 humbler growth, and of less pretensions than the others; but the 

 snoAvy whiteness and delicate fragrance of their flowers render them 

 no less attractive in their way. Wlien the flowers decay the plants 

 should be removed to the foot of a south wall, or some situation fully 

 exposed to the sun, to assist the ripening of the shoots ; water must 

 now be given sparingly, and as the shoots and leaves become yellow, 

 the pots may be laid on their sides ; or if the pit or frame in which 

 they are to winter is at liberty, place them in it, fully exposing 

 them to light, and merely protecting them from wet. When the 

 ripening process is fully complete (known by the shoots dying down 

 to the soil), the bulbs may be repotted when there is time; but the 

 sooner this is done after they are fully ripe, the stronger will they 

 bloom the follomng year. In potting the second year, proceed as 

 before, except that any live roots should be preserved, and more pot 

 room allowed as the bulbs increase in size. Where very large 

 specimens are wanted, from seven to twelve bulbs may be planted in 

 sixteen or eighteen inch pots ; the small offsets should be removed 

 when repotting the bulbs, and planted in small pots for growing on. 

 In concluding this paper, allow me to hope some of your nume- 

 rous readers will form an acquaintance with the subjects of our 

 chapter; and when once they have seen them in bloom, I feel sure 

 they will not soon relinquish their cultivation. S. 



NEW METHOD OF NUMBERING. 



To such of your readers as keep their flowers under number, I beg to 

 recommend a plan of marking which I have used for some years mth 

 great advantage. The characters are easily made with a knife, are 

 of the most simple form, and easy to be remembered ; the accom- 



panying sketch exhibits a tally with all the numbers. A straight 

 cut and a notch are really the only figures used: i, 2, 3, a straight 



