158 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



season is practically over, and water should be grad- 

 ually withheld, and the plant allowed to rest. From 

 this time on give only sufficient water to keep the 

 plant from going dust-dry. Enough water may be 

 given to keep the roots from shrivelling but not suf- 

 ficient to induce top growth. Soon after starting it 

 will be noticed, perhaps, that the bulb has shrunk and 

 grown smaller and somewhat soft. As the foliage 

 dies it becomes firm and hard again, the strength of 

 the top has returned to the bulb from which it came, 

 and it is at this period that it makes its own growth 

 and prepares for another season of bloom, readiness 

 for which it will announce by beginning to grow 

 though water be withheld. The top earth which 

 should be dry at this time should be removed as 

 far as possible without disturbing the roots, and re- 

 placed with good, rich soil. Water freely, and when 

 the buds appear give a little weak liquid manure once 

 a week. The second blooming will be much finer 

 than the first, as the plant has now sufficient root 

 growth to support both stalk and blossom. 



Should the bulb outgrow its quarters it may be 

 shifted into a pot two sizes larger, care being taken 

 not to disturb the roots. In this way the Crinum may 

 be grown on from year to year, shifting when really 

 necessary, renewing the top-soil each year without dis- 

 turbing the roots and allowing it seasons of complete 

 rest. This is the whole secret of Crinum culture 

 undisturbed root action and well-defined seasons of 



