THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 139 



year, taking care not to damage the bulb or roots, and remove as 

 much of the old soil as possible. Though I keep mine in the stove, 

 it is a plant that is not very particular as to temperature ; it will 

 grow and bloom well in a temperature of from 50' to 85'. During 

 the summer and autumnal months they will thrive remarkably well 

 in a common dung frame, if well exposed to the sun and close to the 

 glass, and syringed and shut up early in the afternoon. Should the 

 plants be troubled with mealy-bug, plunge them in a sweet dung- 

 bed, and it will disappear in a few weeks. Thrip and green-fly 

 trouble them at times, but they may be sponged off or got rid of by 

 smoking twice during an interval of four or five days. 



The propagation of this fine plant is a very simple afi"air. The 

 plant produces side-shoots, which may be taken off and potted in 

 small pots. In about a year, if well managed, they will flower. 

 Good plants may be had at any nursery at from 23. 6d. to 5s. each. 



EOCKWORK AND EOCKWOEK PLANTS. 



BY WILLIAM EOBINSOIf, F.L.S. 



nearly every owner or cultivator of a garden has 

 attempted some sort of rockwork or other on a small 

 scale, it is quite unnecessary to advocate the attractive- 

 ness of that sort of gardening ; and it is certain that if 

 the " rockworks " we are now in the habit of seeing 

 satisfy the tastes of their owners, those constructed on a true and 

 sensible principle will aftord them the highest delight. Eockwork ! 

 why almost every absurd conglomeration of bricks and burrs and 

 stones that one sees exposing its dry sides to the view, is dignified 

 by the term — how it is deserved we shall see. 



The object of rockwork is, or ought to be, suitable soil and situa- 

 tion for growing and exhibiting the beauties of tiny and interesting 

 plants that in a wild state resort to ver}-- rocky and stony places, 

 seeking a subsistence where fat and leafy vegetation would have no 

 chance, and of those beautiful mountaineers that grow away green 

 and bright far above the limit of shrubby and herbaceous vegetation, 

 where the fierce blast and bitter cold prevent them rising their tiny 

 heads more than an inch or so from mother earth. Now such situa- 

 tions as they frequent can of course only be imitated on a very 

 Lilliputian scale indeed in gardens, but the conditions which they 

 delight in may be produced to perfection in the suburban, or even 

 the town garden ; and it must be brought about by first demolishing 

 all the notions about rockwork which have given birth to those half- 

 wall, half-load of brick, or stone-like abortions so prevalent in 

 gardens. A great many beautiful sights are to be seen in our gardens 

 by those who take the trouble to look for them. Eoses, palms, 

 florists' flowers, bedding plants, magnificent pot plants, and exqui- 

 site orchids may be without difficulty enjoyed by those who so 

 desire, but where are you to find an open air rockwork on which the 

 tasteful eye can rest for a moment with pleasure ? It is the rarest 



