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XXIV. — On the Treatment of the Genus Amaryllis for 

 Autumnal Blooming. By Mr. John Spencer, C.M.H.S., 

 gardener to the Marquess of Lansdowne, F.H.S., at Bowood. 

 (Communicated March 16, 1846.) 



The great scarcity of flowers during the months of October, 

 November, and the early part of December, for decorating the 

 conservatory and drawing-room, induced me to try the experi- 

 ment of so far altering the habit of some of the varieties of the 

 genus Amaryllis, as to enable me to depend on their blooming in 

 those months as strongly and regularly as they usually do in the 

 spring. The success that has attended my practice, and the 

 great acquisition they are at that time for the above purposes, 

 have induced me to lay my method before the council of the 

 Horticultural Society. 



Before I explain my own mode of culture, I beg to quote the 

 opinion of the late President of the society on the growth of 

 bulbous plants in general, as it has furnished me with an admir- 

 able groundwork for prosecuting the cultivation of this tribe of 

 plants.* " Bulbous roots increase in size, and proceed in ac- 

 quiring powers to produce blossoms only during the periods in 

 which they have leaves, and in which such leaves are exposed 

 to light ; and these organs always operate most efficiently when 

 they are young, and have just attained their full growth." 



Bearing these important facts in mind, we will suppose a 

 moderate collection is already in hand, and the object to be 

 attained is to induce the bulbs to bloom in the autumn months. 

 In the first place they should be potted in December, using pots 

 in proportion to the size of the bulbs. The soil I have found best 

 suited for their growth is composed of two-thirds light turfy 

 loam, and one-third of half rotten leaves and coarse river sand, 

 draining the pots well, and using the compost in as rough a state 

 as possible. If additional stimulus is required, it may be sup- 

 plied, when the leaves are fully formed, in the shape of manure- 

 water every second or third watering. In potting them, observe 

 to keep two-thirds [of tlie bulb above the earth in the pot : they 

 should now be plunged in a pit or frame near the glass, and 

 where there is a moderate bottom heat to encourage the bulbs to 

 root freely before they commence growing by the leaf ; and to 

 accomplish this, the bottom heat should be considerably in ad- 

 vance of the top. 



When it is found that the roots have made considerable pro- 

 gress towards filling the pots, they should be removed to a light 

 house, and be placed as near the glass as circumstances will 



* Knight in Transactions of Horticultural Society. 



