THE GARDENER. [May 



NOTES OW AUTUMN AND WINTER 

 FLOWERING PLANTS. 



{Continued from page 163.) 



AMARYLLIS. 



Here we have a fine tribe of bulbs, wbicli can be had in flower at 

 any time when they have been previously prepared for it. Now is 

 a good time to examine them. Any that have got the pots well filled 

 with roots should have a shift into pots one size larger ; those which 

 do not require larger pots should have clean ones of the same size, 

 with fresh drainage. The compost should be good fibry loam, a little 

 peat, silver sand, and cow-dung which has been lying for some time, 

 put through a half-inch sieve, and all well mixed together. The potting 

 should be carefully done, likewise the drainage, for it is a plant which 

 does not like much shifting from pot to pot. Every other year is 

 often enough to shift, but we pick away all the surface-soil right down 

 to the roots, and give a rich top-dressing when we start them into 

 growth. After dealing with them in this way, let them be placed in 

 a frame not too far from the glass, where they can have a temperature 

 of 60°, with a supply of moisture by frequent sy ringings overhead. 

 By the middle of August they will have made good growths, after 

 which water should be given sparingly at the roots, and gradually 

 giving more air until they can stand without the lights when fine 

 with a good strong sun, which helps to ripen the bulbs. On the 

 approach of cold weather they can stand in any out-of-the-way corner, 

 giving no more water than what keeps the bulbs plump. A few can 

 be taken at intervals of ten days (or as required), and placed in a brisk 

 bottom-heat of 85°, with top-heat ranging about 65°. If good flower- 

 ing-bulbs, they will soon show the flower-stalks. When the flowers 

 begin to open, gradually harden off to the conservatory temperature, 

 where they will stand a long time. We find them invaluable either 

 for centres of baskets or singly in vases for house decoration. The 

 following are a few which we find good and worth a place in any 

 collection : Ackermanni, Distinction, Delicata, Favourite, formosa, 

 Glauca, Holfordii, marginata venusta, purpurea, robusta, venusta 

 grandiflora, vitata coccinea. 



LILY OF THE VALLEY. 



This is another fine, easily-forcing plant, and a great favourite with 

 all. When in much request for cutting, a good breadth should be 

 grown on a piece of rich ground shaded from the mid-day sun, paying 



