52 



THE GENUS CROCUS. 



sulphurcus pallidus and -, 



striatus 

 stellaris [ Fi owe ring from the end of February to 



Olivieri tne nrst week in April, 



minimus 

 Balansse 



J 



Of the Croci recently introduced, many more of the vernal species ^ will 

 probably be found suitable for spring garden decoration, but in the above lists I 

 have given only those which are more generally known and easily obtainable. 



Holland, with its rich, light, alluvial soil, and Lincolnshire, with its "Trent 

 warp," have been for many generations the sources from which the English market 

 has been supplied with the varieties of the three or four species grown in English 

 gardens. The last eight or nine years have put us in possession of nearly the 

 whole of the known species of the genus, and they must be commended to the 

 care of the Dutch and Lincolnshire bulb growers wherewith to further enrich our 



collections. 



In collecting and transmitting wild Crocus roots, it is necessary to bear in 

 mind the stage of growth of the plant. At the flowering-time the young corm is 

 just beginning to be formed, and if the growing of the plant is interrupted, the 

 little bud-like corm is likely to perish, especially if the plant is dried. Crocuses in 

 flower should in packing be tied up in bunches, with a little damp moss, and 

 kept, as far as possible, in a growing condition. In the later stages of growth, 

 the new corm rapidly approaches an independent maturity. Crocuses dug up 

 after the flower has completely passed away should be packed dry, and before 

 planting, cleaned of the decaying foliage and tunics, also of the remains of the 

 last year's corms. The smallest partially-developed corms, even of the size of 

 a pea, unless kept too long dry, will vegetate, and soon grow into large, full-sized 



corms. 



It is probable that there are yet many undescribed species to be discovered 

 and introduced. Asia Minor is the metropolis of the genus; and I would especially 

 point out to travellers, the southern part of Asia Minor between Syria and Lycia, 

 as being likely to afford new species. The north eastern extremity of Cyprus, 

 The Taurus, Kurdistan, north west Persia, and the district east of the Caspian 

 have been 'little explored, and are likely to afford some new species. Should 

 travellers meet with any Crocuses in these districts, I shall be grateful if they 

 will transmit them to me. 



The following is a list of the species not yet introduced, or lost to cultivation, 

 the roots of which are much desired by the author. 



Crocus iridiflorus, (Plate I.) The white variety gathered by Dr. Wierzbicki near 



