442 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 



for vase work, — in fact it is suitable for all kinds of decoration. In the 

 early season when Azaleas are nearly past, and Hyacinths and many 

 other bulbous plants have done flowering, this Lily can be had in flower, 

 and for the conservatory is invaluable. To have it in flower early in 

 the season, the bulbs should be obtained as soon as possible, and placed 

 in pots, either singly in the size mentioned, or three in 6-inch pots, or 

 six in 8-inch pots. When principally wanted for the embellishment of 

 the conservatory, it is wise to grow a few in both sizes. As regards 

 soil, this Lily does not appear very particular. It flourishes well in 

 loam and a seventh of manure with plenty of coarse sand ; or loam and 

 peat will grow it equally well. In potting, the pots should be well- 

 drained, and a little sand placed under each bulb, and covered with at 

 least half an inch of soil. After potting, if the soil is in proper condi- 

 tion, little or no water will be needed until the roots commence work- 

 ing. At the same time, the soil must not become dust-dry if wanted 

 to grow. The pots containing the bulbs can either be placed in a 

 vinery starting, or in a peach-house, or, if not wanted early, placed in 

 a cool house. If required earlier than these positions will bring them 

 on, the pots can be plunged in gentle bottom-heat, keeping the tops 

 much cooler in proportion, until a good quantity of roots are formed. 

 When the stem appears through the soil, more water can with advantage 

 be given, and the temperature kept at about 55°, to be raised another 

 5° when the plants are about 9 inches high. Bottom-heat should then 

 be dispensed with, or the plants will develop weakly. In the last- 

 named temperature the plants will grow rapidly enough, and the pots 

 soon be full of roots, when weak manure-water may be given every 

 time they require water. When the flower-buds can be seen, the plants, 

 if desired, will stand a higher temperature than — but they develop 

 rapidly in — 60°. When grown in that temperature, they should have a 

 position close to the glass, where they can enjoy plenty of light. If a 

 batch is grown on rapidly until the flowers are observed, it is sur- 

 prising what a time they can be kept back afterwards by proper 

 management. The plants must not be syringed after the flowers open, 

 or the yellow pollen is liable to spoil the inside of the flower. For 

 some time after flowering, manure-water should be given to assist 

 in developing the bulbs as they mature. 



While growing they are subject to green-fly in the end of the shoot, 

 which is readily destroyed, either by fumigating the plants or by dust- 

 ing them with tobacco-powder. William Bardney. 



FRUIT- CULTURE. 



THE PEAR. 



Almost everything that we have said in regard to the preparing of the 

 soil, planting, lifting, root-pruning, shoot-pruning, pinching, and train- 

 ing of Apple-trees applies to Pear-trees, so we need not repeat our 



