30 CAPE BULBS. 



When grown in a bed, the entire surface may easily be covered with furze, and 

 in the case of bulbs planted in spring, this will afford them all the protection they 

 are likely to require. 



As they progress in spring, the only further attention they will need will be 

 an occasional watering in dry weather ; and the little trouble entailed in the pre- 

 paration of a proper compost, will be amply rewarded by the greater vigour of the 

 plants, and the superior character of the flowers. But that none may be deterred 

 from the culture of these interesting plants, we would add, that in almost any good 

 garden soil, of not too heavy and moist a nature, they will succeed, and even in the 

 case of soils of the most adverse character, a single barrowful of the peat and loam 

 would suffice for ten or twelve good clumps of bulbs. 



After flowering, water should be withheld, unless seeds are required, in order 

 that the bulbs may be ripened early. This will, in general, be accomplished soon 

 after the foliage is completely withered, but their removal from the ground is a 

 matter to be left entirely to the taste of the cultivator. If allowed to remain, they 

 will vegetate earlier than those removed and preserved in a dry state, and in 

 mild seasons they will flower earlier the following spring ; but on the other hand, 

 they will require more attention during the winter to protect them from frost. 

 When sufficient protection can be afforded them — and this is comparatively easy 

 in the case of those planted in clumps — we think that there is some advantage in 

 allowing them to remain undisturbed for two or three years at least, by which 

 time most of them will have increased so much by offsets, as to require division. 

 If they are kept out of the ground during winter, the smallest offsets frequently 

 wither and perish. 



We have only room for a brief list of a few of the best species in each genus. 

 The Gladioli, Watsonias, and Antholyzas are the tallest ; most of the others are 

 comparatively dwarf. 



Gladiolus psittacinus, insignis, emicans, Queen Victoria, and especially Gandavensi?, 

 and all its varieties. (See page 148, vol. I.) 



Watsonia fulgida muUiflora, pyramidalii, and almtr aides, are easily procurable. 

 They resemble the preceding, but are not quite so hardy. 



Antholyza JEthiopica, and its varieties, prealta coccinea, and Cunonia, are very 

 beautiful, and may be had for about 6d a root. 



Moraa papilionacea, plumaria, tricolor, and miniata, are extremely interesting. 

 They are not often kept, but the species named may be had this season of Mr. 

 Carter, 238, High Holborn. Allied to the Iris, but flower more freely. 



Vieusseuxia pavonia, the well-known Peacock Iris, and the equally common 

 V. glaucopis, are very cheap, and easily managed. 



JTomeria lineata, miniata, and aurantiaca, are generally kept by Seedsmen, and 

 should on no account be omitted ; they are nearly hardy. 



