B01IAREA ACT7TIT0LTA. 5 



the base with a many -leaved involucre. Their general form will be seen by a 

 reference to the figure, which represents them about two-thirds the natural size. 

 The inner segments, which are slightly the broadest, are of a pale orange ; the 

 outer ones of an orange-red, with a green spot at the tip. They are usually 

 produced in September, and as each root throws up several flower stems, a 

 succession of blossoms is maintained until the arrival of the autumnal frosts. 



The plant luxuriates in a rich sandy loam, and when the soil is naturally heavy 

 and retentive, a considerable proportion of sand should be mixed with it before 

 planting the roots. In low, moist situations, it will also be highly desirable to 

 place a few inches of drainage beneath the soil on which the tubers rest. This 

 will give them a much better chance of enduring frost, for it is only in dry soils 

 that they can be considered hardy. The tubers should be planted at least six inches 

 deep, in a warm aspect ; if at the foot of a south wall, the plant will flower finer 

 than in more exposed places. 



"When grown against a wall, the stems of ^the plant may be secured to a narrow 

 trellis ; in other situations a neat stick will be requisite. In those localities in 

 which there may be some risk in leaving the tubers in the ground throngh the 

 winter, they should be carefully dug up soon after the stems have died down, and 

 be preserved in pots of sandy loam, in a dry place until spring. It is not advisable 

 to remove the soil entirely from them, or they will shrivel, and perhaps decay. 



The increase of the B. acutifolia may be affected by division of the tubers, or by 

 seeds, which are usually ripened freely. Like those of some other Endogenous 

 plants, the seeds are apt to become so hard by keeping, especially if in a very dry 

 place, that they will only germinate after a long interment, unless sown as soon as 

 ripe, which is not always practicable or desirable. 



This dessication may be prevented to some extent by burying the seeds in a pot 

 of sandy loam, which should be preserved in a dry, cool place. It is usual to sow 

 them on artificial heat in spring, but stronger plants are obtained by sowing in the 

 open borders under a hand-glass, about the middle of April. Soil of a light porous 

 nature will be indispensable, and when the plants appear above ground, air must be 

 admitted, but they must be covered at night, as long as there is any danger of frost. 

 The snails and slugs are very partial to this genus, as well as to the Alstrcemerias, 

 and should be watched for, or they will eat off a batch of seedlings in a single 

 night. Some of the strongest plants may be expected to flower the second year, but 

 generally blossoms are not produced until the third season. 



The B. acutifolia is a native of the temperate parts of Mexico, where several 

 other species are found. There is a spotted variety, punctata, which is very pretty, 

 but it exists, we fear, only at the Kcw Gardens. The principal others, are hirtella, 

 which is rather more hardy than acutifolia, with red, yellow, and green flowers; ovata, 

 a half hardy Chilian species ; and simplex, from Peru, with pink blossoms. B. salsilla 

 1 a 



