104 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS, 
Europe; of this there are three varieties, white, rose 
and purple, all of the same general habit. ‘They are 
dwarf, rarely exceeding two feet in height. These are 
incorrectly classed among our hardy bulbs. Occasionally 
they will withstand the rigors of our winters, if in a 
sheltered situation. In such cases, if protected by a 
light mulching of leaves, they will flower very freely in 
June, a season when choice flowers are in great demand. 
The bulbs—corms, more correctly speaking—should be 
planted in autumn, and need not be disturbed or re- 
planted for anumber of years. A few clumps of each color 
in the herbaceous border produce a most pleasing effect. 
G. byzantinus.—A native of Turkey. The most 
hardy of any of the species, and particularly desirable 
for the border, as it is free-flowering. When once 
planted, it may remain undisturbed, like the Narcissus, 
for many years, as it produces so few offsets that it 
requires a long time to become troublesome from crowd- 
ing. This and the foregoing species dislike shade, and 
require an airy as well as a sunny situation, for a perfect 
development of flowers, It grows about two feet high, 
and the spike is well filled with purplish-red flowers. 
G. ramosus (Branching). — Unquestionably the 
finest species of the genus. In the size and beauty of 
its flowers it yields the palm to none, and on account of 
its peculiarly branching habit, it may be considered the 
most ornamental. In favorable situations the flower- 
stems will grow five feet high, and produce a succession 
of flowers from June until August. The flowers are 
very large, well opened, and of good shape. The type 
has flowers of a rosy-blush color, with heavy carmine 
stains on the three lower divisions. There are several 
distinct varieties, from which the Dutch florists have 
produced, by cross-fertilization, a large number of named 
sorts, all of the same general character as the species. 
The leaves are broad and heavy, giving the plants a truly 
