406 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 



minating in a numerous umbel of pendant bell-shaped crimson flowers, 

 tipped with yellow and green. It blooms in June and July. 



B. congesta. — This sort grows to the heiglit of about 9 inches or 1 

 foot, bearing a compact umbel of bright blue flowers, which open in July. 



B. grandifora. — This differs from the last sort chiefly in the char- 

 acter of the umbel, which is looser, and in tlie larger size of the flowers; 

 it is about the same in height, and the flowers open about the same time. 



Calocliortus. — A splendid genus of Tulip-like bulbs, which have for 

 many years been allowed to remain in oblivion. They were first in- 

 troduced by Douglas between forty'and fifty years ago ; but, like many 

 other gems of Liliaceae, their wants were misunderstood, and they were 

 by-and-by looked upon as desirable things which it was impossible to 

 grow satisfactorily. They were planted in frames or in pots under 

 glass protection, and were lifted and dried every autumn and replanted 

 anain on the return of spring. This practice is ruinous to many bulbs ; 

 it is so to these. AYhether planted in frames or out of doors, they 

 should not be frequently disturbed if they are doing well ; there is no 

 reason of a cultural kind for lifting them, except it be for the purpose 

 of dividing the offsets, which do not increase rapidly. It is not the 

 simple act of lifting them that proves injurious, but the practice of 

 storing them away dry and exposing them directly to the action of the 

 air. This weakens them in a greater or less degree according as they 

 are planted timeously or not. Ko doubt in cold wet soils the roots 

 may suffer harm in winter if left in the open ground ; but though lifting 

 is undoubtedly the proper course to take in such circumstances, it will 

 be found better to pot the bulbs immediately after they are lifted, and 

 to store them in a cold frame, or anywhere under cover where they 

 may be kept cool without being exposed to frost, and sufficiently dry 

 without being subjected to the direct influence of the atmosphere. 

 These bulbs prefer a peaty compost, but thrive well in sandy loam if 

 well drained. They make pretty pot-plants for exhibition purposes, 

 and also for greenhouse decoration, but being autumn-flowering sub- 

 jects chiefly, they are not likely to obtain much favour generally when 

 brought into competition with the more profuse and more easily 

 managed, but not more interesting and beautiful Pelargoniums, which to 

 a large extent monopolise the greenhouse in autumn. As exhibition 

 plants they might do good service at the autumn shows among others 

 in the classes of Alpine and herbaceous plants. 



C. elegans. — A small-growing kind, from 6 to 9 inches high. The 

 flowers, three in number on each stem, are large compared with the 

 size of the plant, bearded and fringed with woolly hairs on the inside 

 of the inner petals. Blooms in June and July. 



C. Gunnisoni. — This sort is, we believe, recently introduced for the 



