ON THE CULTURE OF BULBOUS-ROOTED FLOWERING PLANTS. 33 



pathway ; that in the middle heing appropriated to the largest speci- 

 mens, the others to contain the smaller plants of the collection. 

 The use of artificial heat in the culture of bulbs is one of the most 

 important points : from their nature they require a season of rest, 

 which ought to commence after they have done flowering and fully 

 matured their foliage ; it is then that water should gradually be 

 withheld till the leaves are decayed, it may then be discontinued 

 altogether. The period of rest is uncertain, some plants requiring 

 more than others, but from one to three months, according to the 

 habit of the kind, is the most usual time; they are then to be 

 slowly stimulated till they commence growing freely, after which 

 they cannot be too liberally encouraged. 



The use of artificial heat I have observed is a very important 

 point ; it should be as gradual as the application of water, and when 

 commenced, and the plants thriving in it, it must not be withheld till 

 after the flowers are decayed and the foliage mature, excepting, per- 

 haps, the time they are actually in bloom ; any decrease of tempera- 

 ture during the growth of the plant would, perhaps, be the cause of 

 the bulb not flowering, and thus create a disappointment which 

 frequently happens from this very cause. The genera which require 

 this artificial heat are principally the following : — Amaryllis, 

 Coburghia, Gloriosa, Chlidanthus, Cyrtanthus, Polianthus, Nerine 

 Brunsvigia, Hsemanthus and Ammochaus, as a primary class, re- 

 quiring the greater degree. As a secondary class, requiring a much 

 less share, I may mention, — Ixia, Gladiolus, Babiana, Antholyza, 

 Sparaxia, Oxalis, Cyclamen, and others. I beg to repeat, that both 

 heat and water must be applied by gradually increasing them, and 

 decreasing them in the same manner after flowering. The bulbs of 

 all, of course, while in a state of rest, must be kept in a low tempera- 

 ture. 



Surrey. 



P.S. I should feel much obliged if you can inform me in the next 

 Cabinet what number of the. " Gardener's Library," advertised in 

 your work, will commence the subject of laying out and ornamenting 

 ground, as I am desirous of purchasing that part of the work. 



[Nothing of the kind has come under our notice ; when it does, we 

 will add a note to that effect, in our remarks to our readers and 

 correspondents. — Conductor.] 



