THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 343 



the climate is warm enough. la Spain and Italy, and on the Medi- 

 terranean shores, the comparatively mild winters do it no harm. In 

 Algeria, in the garden at Hamma, where we have cultivated it for 

 several years past, and where it grows so readily that it may be 

 considered as naturalized, the bulbs are left out iu the open ground. 

 Such is the AmoryJiophallus Bivieri. Its size, and the peculiarity 

 of its foliage, the singularity of its petiole and ramifications, the 

 elegance of its shape, and witlial its hardihood, render it one of the 

 most ornamental plants for a conservatory, or for in-door or out- 

 door decoration. For several years past the gardens of the Luxem- 

 bourg have shown specimens growing, singly or in groups, on the 

 lawns and in beds. The general effect has been magnificent. It is 

 a new plant to add to our list of exotic flowers. 



CUCUMBERS AT CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE YEAR 



ROUA'D. 



BY A KENTISH GABDENER. 



LETTER has been placed in my hands by the Editor, in 

 which a correspondent asks for advice on the cultiva- 

 tion of cucumbers generally, and more particularly on 

 the production of winter crops. Ths Editor, who has 

 long been acquainted with the success which has been 

 achieved in the cultivation of cucumbers in the gardens under my 

 charge, asks me to advise the correspondent as to the steps that he 

 should take, and it is with much pleasure that I comply with the 

 request. I shall not attempt to write a long treatise on the subject, 

 for I have not the time, and I am afraid that the space cannot be 

 well spared just now. 



First of all, I would say that the secrets of producing cucumbers 

 during the dull months of winter, in a condition fit for use, are few 

 in number, and by no means difficult to understand. In the first 

 place, it is no use to attempt to grow them, excepting in a properly 

 constructed and sufficiently heated house. Hipped or span-roofed 

 houses are the best, and cucumbers grown in winter in small lean-to 

 houses are often bitter through an insufficiency of light. Secondly, 

 sufficient heating power must be at command, to prevent the plants 

 suffering from a low temperature in severe weather. Whether 

 grown upon a hot-water tank or upon rubble, the heating medium, 

 must be sufficient to maintain a bottom-heat of 80'^, for plants in a 

 fruiting state will not continue so long with a less warmth at their 

 roots. Thirdly, to have them through November, December, and 

 the first two months of the new year, the plants ought to be raised 

 either from seed or cuttings in the month of August previous, and 

 planted out in the beds not later than the first week in September. 

 JFourthly, the main object should be to encourage a vigorous growth 



N OTember. 



