38 GARDEN AND FARM TOPICS. 



in 1731. It is of easy culture ; the only particular atten- 

 tion it requires is abundance of moisture when in a grow- 

 ing state, and as warm a room as can conveniently be 

 given it ; say an average temperature of 70. 



The Calla is largely grown for winter flowers, and is of 

 the easiest culture. Although it will grow and flower 

 during the entire season without resting if sufficiently fed 

 by being re-potted, yet it is more profitable to dry it par- 

 tially off , say from June ist to September ist. This is best 

 done by placing the pots on their sides, so as to prevent 

 the rains from wetting the soil, and covering them slightly 

 with hay or moss, so as to keep the sun from drying the 

 roots too much ; or, if a position of partial shade can be 

 had, there will be no need of covering the pots. The 

 roots thus rested will flower more abundantly and produce 

 fewer leaves, and thus twice the number of flowers may 

 be obtained from the same space. 



It is not well to give the Calla too much pot room, else 

 too much foliage is produced. We have found the best 

 method to be not to use too large pots, and to use liquid 

 manure freely, made from one bushel of cow dung 

 to twenty-five or thirty gallons of water, or one pound 

 of guano to ten gallons of water. When an excess of 

 leaves occurs, cut them off freely, withholding water some- 

 what for a week or so after cutting the leaves off. By 

 this method the plants can be grown closely together, 

 and a larger crop of flowers obtained from the same 

 space. 



The Calla is one of the best of winter-flowering plants 

 for room culture, needing little care beyond abundant 

 water, and an occasional syringing or washing of the 

 leaves, to keep them free from dust and red spider. It 

 is also a good plant for a large aquarium. Jt. albo-maculata, 

 a species with beautifully variegated or spotted foliage, 



