THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 325 



which had better be left to professional bands, and except the 

 amateur be proficient in such work, he wdl not be very successful. 

 If properly managed, they will soon increase by natural means to 

 more than can be accommodated. 



I may just state, by way of conclusiou, that, in my opinion, these 

 fine lilies have one fault : they produce their flowers too far from the 

 surface of the soil. I have tried to remedy this by placing three 

 smaller bulbs in a pot with the principal one at the first potting, and 

 I think this improves their appearance when in flower. With thi8 

 exception, th^y are splendid productions, and deserve the most 

 extensive cultivation ; grown in masses in large pots, or in con- 

 servatory borders, they are surpassingly grand, and they are quite 

 within the means of the amateur. Do not be satisfied with your 

 treatment unless your full-grown bulbs produce from twenty-five to 

 thirty flowers upon a single stem. 



GOMPHOLOBIUMS. 



[[HESE beautiful plants are generally looked upon by 

 beginners as being very difficult to cultivate success- 

 fully, and therefore they are comparatively rare in col- 

 lections. If the following mode of treatment is pur- 

 sued, however, there need be little fear of failure. In 

 selecting young plants from the nursery, choose those that are 

 strong and healthy, and in proper condition as to pot room. If 

 received at the present season, they should be wintered in the 

 warmest part of the greenhouse, keeping them as near the glass as 

 convenient, and let them be carefully supplied with water at the 

 root. When the object is to obtain the largest possible amount of 

 growth in the course of one season, they may with propriety be 

 placed in a moist growing temperature of from 45° to 50' at night, 

 allowing it to rise 10 3 by day with air and sunshine, early in March, 

 or as early after that season as circumstances may permit. Any 

 straggling shoot should be cut back, so as to secure a compact, close 

 habit of growth, and the supply of water will probably need to be 

 increased after placing the plant in a warmer situation, but give no 

 more than may be absolutely required to keep the soil in a healthy 

 state ; and if the syringe is used morning and evening during bright 

 weather, and a moist atmosphere maintained, very little water at the 

 root will suffice. Healthy young plants will soon start into active 

 growth when placed in a moist growing temperature, and when this 

 is observed to be the case, examine the state of the roots, and give 

 a moderate shift if the roots are abundant and active, but never 

 shift a plant unle.-H the ball is well filled with healthy, active roots. 

 Be careful to have the soil to be used in repotting in a nice moist, 

 healthy state, and in proper condition as regards age, taking care 

 that tin- ball is also neither too wet nor too dry ; keep rather close 

 and moist, and sprinkle the plants over-head morning and evening, 

 and apply water to the soil with the greatest care for a time after 



November, 



