THK FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 337 



nearly six months in the year, after their annual growth is obtained ; 

 and when in bloom producing graceful panicles, or terminal clusters 

 of brilliant salver-shaped blossoms, varying in colour from the richest 

 crimson and carmine, to all the intermediate shades of orange, rose, 

 and red, and also blending the most delicate sea-green with olive 

 centres ; yet, notwithstanding all these desirable and attractive 

 features, they are almost lost, and generally neglected iu plant 

 collections. When grown en masse, they present a glowing com- 

 bination of the most chaste and brilliant colours to be found amongst 

 flowers, and those who have not seen them cultivated in this way, 

 can form but a faint conception of the splendour of vegetation at 

 the Cape, where myriads of these brilliant objects decorate the 

 surfaces of vast plains. So beautiful, indeed, are some of these, that 

 if the inquiry was made which is the most beautiful and easily 

 managed bulbous flowering plant, I should, without hesitation, 

 answer Sparaxis (Ixia) grandiflora, with its rich, crimson, golden- 

 yellow-eyed, salver-shaped blossoms. 



For the special growth of Ixias iu borders or beds, a south-east 

 aspect should be preferred, which will admit of a partial screen from 

 the mid-day sun. The bottom or subsoil should be dry, and the 

 upper stratum of rich sandy loam, well incorporated with one-third 

 of heath, or dry vegetable mould. Where the soil is naturally heavy, 

 take the soil out to the depth of two feet, leaving the bottom with 

 an inclination sufficient to throw off excessive moisture, on which 

 place six inches in depth of coarse brickbats, and over this add 

 four inches of coarse turf siftings, or decayed branches, well pressed, 

 tilling up the remainder with loam. The bulbs may be planted iu 

 rows, or groups, at discretion, from two to three and a half inches 

 deep, according to the size and vigour of the bulbs, covering them 

 with about one inch of dry river sand, previous to applying the 

 covering of soil. As a protection from severe frost, the border 

 should be surfaced with dry decayed tan about six inches, or with 

 very dry sand to the depth of three or four inches. The last named 

 material will be sufficient in mild seasons, and may be removed on 

 the approach of spring. When grown in pots for protection in 

 frames, the most suitable compost is one-half friable yellow or hazel- 

 coloured sandy loam, with the remainder in equal portions of well 

 decomposed heath-soil and dry leaf-mould, adding of white or river- 

 sand about one-sixth of the whole amount. The above proportions 

 should be passed through a sieve together (not separately), thereby 

 admitting a more uniform and open texture throughout the mass. 

 The bulbs are generally grown in stores of three to six in each pot, 

 but where great interest is taken in the most beautiful kinds, two 

 bulbs may be placed in a three-inch pot, or in smaller, provided 

 attention be paid to shifting them into larger ones early in spring. 

 Where an effect, en, masse, is sought, four bulbs in three-inch pots, 

 and six bulbs in five-inch pots will be suitable, the smaller the pots 

 the greater the importance of shifting into larger ones as the bulbs 

 advanced in growth, and vise versa. When thus prepared, the pots 

 should be plunged nearly up to their rims in drv tan within the 

 frame or pit, and only watered occasionally as the soil becomes 



November. "2 



