1887. 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



51 



and in November scatter a dressing of rotted 

 manure under and about them. And as a 

 dressing for grass lawns, no matter whether 



AMARYLLIS 



ATAMASCO. 



used as a fertilizer or 

 a protection for short 

 grass against winter 

 frost, there is nothing I 

 like better than well 

 rotted farm-yard ma- 

 nure, but I would not 

 put it on before frosty 

 weather sets in. Then 

 I can wheel or cart over 

 the lawn wherever I 

 wish to without hurt- 

 '• ing the gi-ass. 

 Rough or Littery Manure is a capital 

 mulch for Roses, or, in fact, most anything 

 where there are no field mice, but wherever 

 these rodents abound, strawy manure should 

 not be used for outdoor mulching. 



S.\LT Mk.vdow H.w cut in July or early in 

 August and well saved is a capital mulch 

 for low plants when used thiul)', and it lasts 

 well about trees and shrubs in summer. 



Thatch. The very rank gi-ass we cut 

 along the water's edge in salt meadows 

 makes a most excellent covering for her- 

 baceous plants or Strawberries, or to scatter 

 thinly over leaves to keep them in place. I 

 also use it in quantity for covering frames 

 in winter and mulching about trees in sum- 

 mer. It is so heavy that the wind does not 

 blow it about as it does hay or straw. I pre- 

 fer to cut it about the first of September. 



The Culture of the Amaryllises. 



A quality of these valuable bulbs that 

 commends them to popular favor is that it is 

 unnecessary to disturb the roots frequently 

 by repotting or otherwise. They enjoy being 

 let alone for a considerable period, in this 

 respect being quite accommodating to those 

 growers who like to manage their plants 

 with little trouble. A fresh pot of earth 

 once in two or three years is enough, and 

 will grow better plants than can be done by 

 the annual shift usually practiced. 



But as the bulbs should remain long 

 planted when once they are set, this opera- 

 tion should be well performed, not that 

 the plant is especially particular like some. 



but it at least requires fair treatment in the 

 respects which follow: The soil should be a 

 substantial loamy compost. The bulbs 

 should always be potted firmly, and 

 especial attention should be paid to 

 drainage. For this there should be 

 no stint of potsherds, and they 

 should be carefully laid, having a 

 piece of rough turf placed over the 

 cracks to prevent dirt from settling 

 among them. 



One point in the culture of 

 Amaryllises it is, however, not diffi- 

 cult to make a mistake in. We 

 refer to not providing a decided 

 season of rest annually after each 

 period of growth and bloom. It is 

 also worthy of mention that the 

 drying off must be done in a gradual 

 manner. When this is accomplished 

 properly the foliage will sometimes 

 remain fresh and plump for a couple 

 of months without water. So long 

 as the plants are thoroughly at rest, 

 it matters not whether the foliage 

 dies away altogether, or a few leaves 

 remain green during the rest. 



The spring is the best season for 

 planting or repotting Amaryllises, 

 as this is their natural season of 

 root growth. In managing a con- 

 siderable lot of them it is a good 

 plan to repot a portion, say one- 

 third, every spring in turn, and then 

 not allow a single flower on the last lot 

 potted, but to pinch out the flower bud as 

 soon as it appears. By observing this rule, 

 and the one laid down concerning a suitable 

 rest, and by keeping them cool, the bulbs will 

 siibsequently flower with double the strength 

 of ones not treated in this fashion. 



When first starting Amaryllis bulbs one 

 good watering to wet the soil thoroughly 

 wDl be required, and then no more must be 

 given until it is nearly dry again. From 

 this stage increase the supply 

 according to the progress of 

 the plants. When in full 

 growth they will bear liberal 

 watering, but this should never 

 extend to over-watering. After 

 the first year regular supplies 

 of weak manure water are of 

 much value to the plants. 

 When the full growth has been 

 reached it should be noted that 

 water will be less frequently 

 required, a matter also to be 

 strictly respected. 



For promoting good growth 

 and bloom a temperature of 

 about tiO" is the most suitable. 

 The plants dislike cold 

 draughts on them during the 

 stage just referred to. Gener- 

 ally speaking the storing of 

 Amaryllises should begin 

 about the end of February, 

 although there is no difficulty 

 to force them by starting the 

 bulbs a month or two earlier 

 than this. Where it is desira- 

 ble to keep up a succession a 

 batch may be started every 

 three weeks as long as the 

 bulbs last. It is a mistake, and 

 one yet much persisted in by 

 growers, to suppose they re- 

 quire a strong bottom heat. 



Our engravings represent 

 two distinct styles of Amaryllis, 

 the upper, A. Atamasco, being 

 an attractive native species 



down each segment. It is a specially hardy 

 and robust grower, and one of the most 

 valuable sorts for pot culture. 



Begonias as Window Plants Again. 



M. D. WELLCOME, YARMOUTH, ME. 



The article on Begonias as window plants 

 in a recent issue I endorse. To me there is 

 nothing so satisfactory for the winter collec- 

 tion, and I have made them a specialty, each 

 year adding new and beautiful varieties. 

 These I obtain chiefly from Hill & Co., Rich- 

 mond, Indiana, as I find them no where 

 else. I will mention a few of rare beauty, 

 quite unlike the well known varieties: 



Olbia. The leaves are from seven to ten 

 inches in diameter, and divided into several 

 sharp points. The veins are sunken, giving 

 to the surface a crape like appearance. The 

 color is varying shades of brown and red, 

 which in the sunlight has a lovely effect. 

 The plant h»s a heavy trunk bearing erect 

 branches. Flowers are large, lemon white. 



Rubella. This in its habit of growth is 

 quite dissimilar to the former. It is an In- 

 dian species. The leaves spring directly 

 from the root and are borne on very long 

 drooping stems. Color, olive green blotched 

 with red. The ribs are banded with purplish 

 brown, under side red. Very handsome and 

 finely adapted for a hanging basket or a 

 window bracket. 



Alba pifta. Of shrubby growth. The 

 leaves are long and slender, glossy green 

 thickly spotted with white. 



Gloire de Sceaux. A novelty of last year. 

 Erect and compact; the leaves are large as 

 those of the Rex varieties, short stemmed, 

 color deep plum with metallic gloss. The 

 flowers are rose color and are borne in great 

 abundance during the winter. 



Manicata aurca. Beautifully variegated. 

 Leaves large, glossy, light green, profusely 

 blotched with bright yellow. Flowers pink. 



AMARYLLIS JOHNSONII, (COLOR DEEP RED WITH WHITE STRIPE). 



that is found growing wild in wet places 

 from Virginia southward. The flowers are 

 large, white and pink, and the species 

 possesses merit for cultivation. The lower 

 engraving shows Amaryllis Johnsonii. The 

 flowers are deep red with a white stripe 



Dr. NurhtiijaL A 

 France; very fragrant. 



late novelty from 



476. CuttinRS of Lapageria Bosea. Cuttings 

 rarely succeed. Increase by layers iir seeds; the 

 latter method being preferable.— C. E. P. 



