I873-] NOTES ON HARDY FLOWERS. 405 



The construction of the houses tends to prevent evaporation, though air 

 is given at the top, and the plants do not suffer as they do under a 

 large exposed surface of glass — neither disease, gouty plants, nor insect 

 was to be seen in the place. 



We could not help ruminating how the social fabric hangs together: 

 here is a deserving industrious man getting bread for his family in 

 a quiet way, when, lo ! he is pretty nigh brought to a stand-still by 

 the price of coals ; and there does not appear any signs of relief, 

 while the returns for produce are entirely dependent on the demand 

 and supply. 



Various important lessons may be learnt from this Cucumber-grower's 

 practice, but for the present we must leave him. S. X. 



NOTES ON HAEDY FLOWEHS. 



Brodkea. — This is a very pretty and interesting group of hardy bulbs 

 from California. Though perfectly hardy, they are impatient of wet 

 stagnant soil. A rich, deep, well-drained, sandy loam suits them best, 

 and the extremes of light gravelly or clay soils are equally inimical to 

 their wellbeing. In all cases where the natural soil is not proper for 

 these beautiful but somewhat coy bulbs, it should be improved by 

 adding peat and sand to the tenacious class, and loam and peat to the 

 gravelly class, in requisite quantity, or in proportion as in either case it 

 is deficient in body or possesses it in excess. Formerly these Brodiaeas 

 were cultivated in pits or frames along with other classes of so-called 

 frame-bulbs, either planted out or in pots, under the impression that 

 they needed protection. Protection they do not require when they 

 are at rest, except it be in the shape of a mound of coal-ashes or tan 

 over the spot the roots occupy ; and should the growth appear above 

 ground in spring before the danger of frost is quite over, the necessary 

 protection can be given in the open ground. A warm well-sheltered 

 border is desirable in order to grow them to the best advantage ; sunny 

 sheltered nooks about shrubberies and rock-work are very suitable 

 positions for them. They should not be disturbed every year, but be 

 left for two or three years in the same spot if doing well, and need 

 only be lifted for the purpose of dividing them and refreshing the 

 soil. Like all bulbs, though impatient of stagnant moisture, they 

 need very liberal supplies of water in the growing season. 



B. coccinea. — This is a gem recently introduced as new, though not 

 really new for cultivation ; it has for many years been lost sight of, and 

 we are indebted to Messrs Backhouse of York for its reintroduction. 

 In a mass it forms tufts of grass-like foliage, whence spring the long 

 slender flower-scapes, which rise to the height of about 18 inches, ter- 



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