UNDER GLASS AND IN THE HOUSE 51 



Soleil d'Or," and " Gloriosus," may be grown in any 

 room in which the temperature is moderately warm, IN 

 BOWLS OF WATER, several bulbs in a bowl, marble chips 

 being placed with them to prevent them from floating 

 and keep them in position. The water must be changed 

 frequently (it is better to do this at least every other day), 

 and the bulbs (especially those of the Chinese variety) 

 may be brought very rapidly into bloom. 



Both Tazettas and the other kinds already recom- 

 mended for cold frame cultivation may also be grown 

 IN JARS, without drainage, IN A MIXTURE OF COCOA 

 FIBRE (or moss fibre) AND SHELL SHINGLE (about four 

 parts of the fibre to one of ground shell) ; coarse silver 

 sand may be substituted, if more convenient, for the 

 shell. Mr Robert Sydenham, of Birmingham, has 

 grown bulbs in this way with great success. The fol- 

 lowing plan may be adopted as advised by him : Put 

 small pieces of charcoal about the size of small nuts at 

 the bottom of the jars ; then having mixed the fibre 

 and ground shell very thoroughly together, add one or 

 two inches of the composition according to the size of 

 the vase ; place the bulbs upon it, and fill up nearly to 

 the brim with more of the composition. No vacant 

 spaces must be left at the sides of the vase, but the 

 fibre must be made only moderately firm, not jammed 

 in very tightly. Great care should be taken to keep 

 the composition fairly moist (not sodden), fresh water 

 being given as often as necessary, and the surplus water 

 allowed to drain away by turning the jar on its side. 

 Kept at first in any airy cellar or room, not in a confined 

 cupboard, the jars may be brought, when the bulbs have 

 grown about an inch out of the composition, gradually 

 into the light. As much air and light as possible must 

 be given, but of course frost must be guarded against. 

 The composition must never be allowed to get really dry. This 

 method is suitable for ladies who have no garden or 



