IRISH GARDENING 



35 



.similar structure, where an average temperature 

 of (30 degrees can be maintained. 



For a few weeks very little water is needed, 

 and I should like to emphasise this point, 

 because at this stage many growths are often 

 lost by the unmitiated. 

 Then, again, tepid 

 water must be used at 

 all times. As growth 

 and root action advan- 

 ces the supply can 

 be increased in quan- 

 tity and frequency, 

 and the plants kept 

 well supphed until 

 the bulbs are fully 

 matured. During the 

 growing period kee\) 

 the atmosphere moist 

 by occasionally syring- 

 ing between the pots 

 and sprinkling the floor 

 with water. A thin 

 shade will be needed 

 when the sun is bright, 

 but as autumn appro- 

 aches and the bulbs 

 show signs of matur- 

 ity by the foliage turn- 

 ing yellow full sun- 

 light must be allowed 

 to thoroughly ripen 

 the bulbs. 



In some estal)lish- 

 ments a little liquid 

 cow manure or soot 

 water is given during 

 active growth, and the 

 best time toapj)lythis 

 is directly the new 

 bulbs are formed, but 

 where the compost is 

 of good quality, it is 

 not needed. Venti- 

 lation must receive 

 attention, for unk'ss 

 this is done the black 

 spot disease may 

 a p ]) ear. Overhead 

 spraying may be in- 

 dulged in on bright, 

 sunny dajs, but it 

 ought to be practised 

 the foliage to dry bef^ 

 are splendid for cutting and dwellinghouse 

 decoration, and a few of the most noteworthy 

 are C. Veitchii, C. Harrisii, C. vestita rubro- 

 oculata, C. vestita luteo-oculata and Reyneirii, 

 which flowers a few weeks later than those just 

 quoted. 



Streptocarpus x Blythinii. 



In 8treptocarpu> 

 hvbrid. recent Iv 



Sti 



urticiently 

 • niuht.' 



Blythuiii we have a new 

 raised at the Cambridge 

 BotanicGardenSjWhich 

 owes its origin to 

 S. Wendlandii crossed 

 with S. cyaneus, the 

 former being the 

 female parent. 



The hybrid is named 

 for the raiser — Mr. J. J. 

 BIythin, chief assist- 

 ant in the plant houses 

 at Cambridge. 



S. Blythinii may 

 be described as posses- 

 sing a more graceful 

 habit than the decor- 

 ative hybrids so 

 ])opularly used for 

 greenhouse decoration. 

 The floAvers are con- 

 tinually being produc- 

 ed for some months ; 

 each infl orescence 

 having its individual 

 flowers, varj'ing in 

 number, some inflore- 

 scences having as many 

 as fifteen flowers ; the 

 colour of the petals is 

 a bluish-purple, with 

 stripes of a darker 

 colour. 



The leaves of the 

 hybrid are allied to 8. 

 Wendlandii in regard 

 to their size, but differ 

 in their number — 8. 

 Wendlandii ])roducing 

 only one leaf, while 

 S. Blythinii produces 

 two to five. 8. BI3'- 

 thinii appears to be 

 ])ractically self-sterile, 

 and onl}^ a very few 

 seeds have been ob- 

 tained. 



H. C. Elsdon 



^?* ^^ ^^ 



Crocus Imperati in Grass. 



Foi; ;i lortiiiLilit or ;s.. a. -r.-ii). uf this in-ctty little 

 Italian .spt'cit-s has been very beautiful in the 

 jirass close by the Yew Walk iu the Botanic Oar- 

 dens at Glasnevin. When fully t)]>en in the 

 suusliiixe, tlie bn>;ht oi-ani^e stigmas are con- 

 sjiicuous. The white variety is even more 

 beautiful, and is now tlowering by the Palm 

 House. 



TOCAItPl':? + Hi. VI II INI 



early for 

 Calanthes 



