20 ON THE CULTURE OF THE IXIA, 
either in nurseries or private establishments, and the reason assigned is, 
they are difficult to grow in a satisfactory manner. They have, how- 
ever, been grown admirably, and may be again, by the use of similar 
means. 
The Ixia must have a sandy turfy-peat to be grown properly in 
pots. It must not be sifted but chopped into small pieces, and have a 
liberal drainage of crocks and fibry pieces of peat. About the middle 
of September is the best time for re-potting or renewing them. Ifa 
stock has to be procured in bulbs, put several in a pot, cover them an 
inch, do not water at the time of potting, place them in a cool pit 
frame, and when it is evident roots are issuing forth into the soil then 
give a smallish proportion of water, increasing as the plants grow. 
When the plants have ceased blooming and the foliage has decayed it 
is the usual practice to take the bulbs out of the soil, and in dry condi- 
tion to keep them in a seed drawer, &c. Now this is injurious, and 
the result is a puny bloom the succeeding season, ‘The method to be 
pursued when the foliage is decayed is as follows :—Let the pots be 
placed on their sides, on the back shelf of a greenhouse, or similar 
light warm situation, say at the foot of a south-aspected wall (taking 
care mice do not feast upon the bulbs) till the beginning of September, 
then turn up the pots and give them one free watering, this will usually 
start them, or at most, another watering will. As soon as it is per- 
ceived that they are pushing forth give the following attention :— 
If the pot be very closely filled with bulbs then turn out the ball as 
entire as possible, carefi.lly remove any portion of the drainage adhering 
to it, also remove from the top part of the ball all soil which is above 
the bulbs, These matters being done, and having a larger sized pot 
properly prepared with drainage, and an inch or two of the sandy peat 
over it, then place the ball upon it, so that it will admit of fresh soil 
around, as well as a portion over the surface. The bulbs remaining in 
the position they had grown the previous season, grow and bloom far 
more vigorously than when shook out of the soil, &c. After planting, 
the pots must be placed in a cold pit frame under the front wall where 
they will be shaded, and be kept there uncovered, as long as the weather 
will permit, and then only protecting them from frost. When the 
time arrives for putting the sashes over them the pots must be raised 
up, so as to be about a foot from the glass, and be where they can 
have full light. They will bloom well if kept wholly in such a pit 
frame, or be removed to the greenhouse. ‘The very numerous species 
and varieties, with their many richly contrasted colours, blooming so 
profuse as they do when well grown, most abundantly repay for any 
labour bestowed. Iam an amateur gardener, resident in London, and 
labour under disadvantages as to situation, but I am very amply repaid 
for the attention given, by a beautiful bloom from February, and with 
the later blooming kinds up to the end of July. 
