AN ENCYCLOPZDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 57 
Alstromeria—continued. 
panulate; inner segments narrower, two of which are 
somewhat tubulose at the base; stamens included within, 
and inserted with perianth; stigma trifid. Leaves linear, 
lanceolate, or ovate, and resupinate, or inverted in position 
by the twisting of the petiole. Cultivation: Few plants 
need less attention to grow them successfully, either in pots 
or planted out. The best position for those kinds which 
succeed outside is a deep and dry, sloping, sheltered border; 
in a compost of two-parts peat and leaf soil, and one loam 
with some sharp sand. Water freely if severe drought 
Fic. 65. ALSOPHILA REBECC. 
sets in; @ surface covering of common moss, or eut fern | 
in winter, will prove an advantage. ‘They are very effec- 
tive in masses. Propagation: They may be increased by 
seed or root division: Sow”the former when ripe, or in 
hae spring, thinly in pans, pots, or boxes, and place in a cool 
cat: of. hig so that they Will receive some fostering in 
at pais — The seedlings should be pricked out 
ie Ree re = enough to handle, and grown on till well 
ahd dad ee er glass. A mixture: of peat, leaf ‘mould, 
ess oe oam, is the best compost in which to sow the 
blishea — the young plants. When sufficiently esta- 
saod, they may be placed in a warm sheltered spot 
outside, and about 1ft. apart. The fageiculated masses of 
Alstromeria— continued. 
fleshy roots are readily separated into as many pieces as 
there are crowns; this operation may be performed during 
September or October, or February and Marth; but it 
must be done carefully. Except for the sake of increase, 
the less they arë disturbed the better. They arevexcellent 
subjects for pot Culture (some can only be managed thus, 
unless planted out in a héuse), and may be potted as early 
in the autumn as possible,an 8in., 10in., or 12in. pots. 
Thorough drainage isyessential; arrange the €rocks care- 
fully, and placea Jayer.of thin turfy loam over thém. -`A 
compost of equal parts turfy loam, leaf mould, and fibrous 
peat, with an abundance of sand, will suit them admirably. 
Water sparingly at first, but when root-action is fully 
resumed, they must never be allowed to get dry. Support 
the stems by staking when they require it, and just 
previous to flowering, top-dress with some rotten manure 
and leaf soil. Occasional syringings will be necessary 
to. keep down red spider, especially if the atmosphere is 
very dry. As the plants finish flowering, and the leaves 
fade; gradually diminish the supply of water until the 
stems are quite down, when they may be placed somewhere 
out of the way, free from frost, for the winter, but not kept 
dry enough to make them shrivel. In repotting, as much of 
I 
