TRITONIA AUKEA. 85 



Fishergate Nurseries, York (to whom we are indebted for its introduction), during 

 its season of flowering, and which prove how much may be done by skilful culti- 

 vators to compensate the deficiencies of climate. 



It is found to succeed best in a mixture of equal parts of heath-soil, loam, and 

 leaf-mould, with a small portion of sharp white sand ; in short, in the same compost 

 in which the Gladiolus, Ixia, and most of the plants usually classed as Cape bulbs, 

 are known to flourish. The bulbs should be potted about October, in well-drained 

 pots filled with the above compost, and placed in a cold frame, with just sufficient 

 protection to ward off severe frost ; and during the mid- winter months it should be 

 kept nearly dry. Where there is not the convenience of a cold frame, the pot 

 might be safely placed on the window of a cool room ; and in either situation it may 

 be retained till May, when it should be stationed out-doors, in a partially shaded 

 border, upon ashes, to exclude the worms. As soon as the flower scape appears, 

 the plant may be removed to the window, or a cool greenhouse, where the develop- 

 ment of the blossoms will proceed more favourably than when fully exposed. 



The peculiar membranaceous texture of the leaves of the Tritonia, and some of 

 the more delicate Iridaceous plants, renders them very susceptible of injury from 

 the scorching influences of the sun, during their season of growth and bloom ; we 

 do not, therefore, recommend turning out the plant into the border, as, although it 

 would certainly flower in such a situation, the blossoms would be inferior to those 

 borne by plants grown as we have advised. If the experiment is tried, a warm but 

 shaded corner should be chosen, and the soil used must be of the same description 

 as that recommended for potting. After flowering, the pot containing the bulb 

 should be subjected to the greatest attainable solar heat, all moisture being withheld, 

 and during heavy rains it will, therefore, be necessary to shelter the plant. Mr. 

 Maund has advised the use of a glass cap, which, placed over the plant, would not 

 only exclude humidity, but also concentrate the sun's heat, and aid in maturing the 

 bulb, upon the effectual completion of which process depends the production of 

 flowers the following season. 



The Tritonia aurea may be increased by seed, which is produced by the strongest 

 flower scapes, if the plants are continued in growth after flowering, and the seed 

 should be sown as soon as gathered, the young plants being carefully preserved 

 from frost the following winter. Our own specimen of the plant has exhibited a 

 somewhat curious habit of growth which deserves notice. The bulb, from which 

 sprung the last season's flower scape, emitted from its side towards the close of 

 the summer a weak, slender, horizontal fibre several inches in length, which became 

 rooted at its extremity, and has now given rise to a new plant at a distance from 

 the old bulb, but connected with it. 



AVe have, throughout this notice, employed the word bulb in speaking of the 

 round flattened body from which the plant is produced ; but it is termed by most 



