550 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



allied to Eucliaris, but difFering in a very marked degree from that 

 universal favourite in the form and colour of the flowers. The foliage 

 resembles that of Eucharis pretty closely in form and colour, but is 

 smaller. The flowers are supported on stout, erect stalks, are pendu- 

 lous, very slender at the base, but widening towards the centre, and 

 becoming contracted and shortly reflexed at the apex. They are clear 

 golden yellow, tipped with green and white. The plant succeeds well 

 under greenhouse treatment, but is invaluable as a winter flower for 

 the stove. For this purpose it must be grown on during summer and 

 rested in autumn, for it requires a thorough dry rest for six or eight 

 weeks ; and when thus treated, it may be introduced in batches, in the 

 same way as Amaryllis or Eucharis, into the stove to flower and to 

 make growth, which should be briskly encouraged after flowering is 

 over. It likes a strong rich loam. As a companion and contrast 

 to both Eucharis and Amaryllis it is charming, and deserves to be 

 better known and more generally grown than it is. It frequently, in- 

 deed generally, flowers without foliage, which is a drawback to its use as 

 a table plant, for which it is otherwise admirably adapted ; but this may 

 be compensated for in a pretty satisfactory way by pricking the 

 surface of the pot full of Selaginella, when it is brought into heat to 

 flower. When done in this way, it is one of the most elegant things 

 imaginable for fitting into small vases on the dinner-table or in the 

 parlour. A. X, E. 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS.— DECEMBER. 



The pruning of all kinds of fruit-trees and bushes requires attention 

 as early as time can be spared. It is not well to prune trees, especi- 

 ally those of vigorous growth, when frost is severe : Peaches and 

 Nectarines may be left till February. Plums should have all natural 

 spurs retained. These do well on the spur system generally, but not 

 allowing the growths to get away from the walls ; and the crowded 

 method some adopt with their wall-trees is bad in every way, besides 

 giving much unnecessary labour. When foliage cannot have plenty 

 of room, scanty crops of inferior fruit may be expected. Morello 

 Cherries should not be kept so thick as they frequently are. The 

 short shoots are preferable, and the natural spurs which often form on 

 established trees are generally very fruitful. When pruning of these 

 is performed, leave enough young shoots to cover every vacant space; 

 and where old rods may have become bare, they may be cut out and 

 younger ones allowed to take their place, or young shoots may be 

 lashed to old rods till they have grown sufficiently to fill their spaces. 

 There need be no hurry in pruning Apricots. The same rule in re- 



