144 



THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



A synonym of Hoffmannia (which 



HKHJINSIA. 



see). 



HILLIA (named after Sir John Hill, 1716-1775, a 

 celebrated botanical author). SYNS. Fereiria, Saldanha. 

 ORD. Rubiaceai. A genus comprising 1 about five species 

 of ornamental stove evergreen shrubs, natives of tropical 

 America and the West Indian Islands. Flowers white, 

 large, terminal, solitary, sub-sessile, bracteate and brac- 

 teolate. Leaves opposite, shortly petiolate, fleshy; sti- 

 pules intrapetiolar, membranaceous, caducous. For cul- 

 ture, see Cinchona. 

 H. longlflora (long-flowered). /. white, very fragrant ; tube 



long ; corolla with six twisted segments. February. I. ovate. 



A. 2ft. West Indies, &c., 1789. (B. M. 721.) H. Utrandra is an 



allied species. 



HIIiUM. The scar produced by the separation of a 

 seed from its placenta. 



HINDSIA (named after B. Brinsley Hinds, the botanist 

 of the "Sulphur" Expedition). STN. Macrosiphon. OBD. 

 RubiacecB. A genus comprising about three species of 

 small ornamental stove evergreen shrubs, natives of 

 Brazil. Flowers violaceous, rather large, in terminal cymes, 

 sessile; pedicels short, bracteolate. Leaves petiolate, 

 ovate, or ovate -lanceolate. For culture, see Rondeletia. 



H. longlflora Gong-flowered), JL blue ; panicle leafy, branches 



three-flowered. May. I. ovate-lanceolate, strigose beneath. 



h. 2ft 1841. (B. M. 3977, under name of Rondeletia longiflora.) 



There is a white-flowered form. 

 H. violacea (violet).* fl. elegant ultramarine, disposed in clusters 



2in. long. May. I. broad-ovate, h, 3ft 1844. Plant downy. 



(B. M. 4135.) 



HIFFEASTRUM (from hippeus, a knight, and 

 astron, a star; referring to the shape of H. equestre). 

 Equestrian Star. ORD. Amaryllidece. A genus of up- 

 wards of fifty species of tunicated bulbous plants, natives 



FIG. 230. HYBRID HIPPEASTRUMS. 



of tropical and extra-tropical South America. Perianth 

 funnel-shaped, more or less declinate ; scape fistulose, 

 two or many-flowered. In most catalogues, the plants 

 described below are classed under Amaryllis. Few 

 subjects are more gorgeous and attractive, in winter 



Hippeastrum continued. 



and spring, than several of the species of Hippeastrum, 

 and the numerous beautiful hybrids (see Fig. 230) that 

 have been obtained therefrom by the skill and perse- 

 vering labours of the hybridist. Some of the flowers 

 are of the richest deep crimson and blood-red; others 

 are nearly white, or are striped, mottled, and blended, 

 in a most effective manner, with a combination of 

 colours. Distinct species and hybrids have been crossed 

 and intercrossed, until breadth of petal, size, substance, 

 and perfect form of flowers, have been attained far 

 beyond the most sanguine expectations of the hybridisers 

 themselves. When once established, and of sufficient size, 

 the flowering of the bulbs annually is almost certain ; 

 they do not require much space, and their general culture 

 is easy. Propagation is readily effected by seeds for 

 raising new varieties, and this method is also largely 

 practised for producing bulbs to flower for ordinary de- 

 coration. Named species or varieties are perpetuated 

 by offsets, which spring up from the base of established 

 bulbs. 



Seeds should be sown, as soon as ripe, in well-drained 

 pots or pans of sandy loam, slightly covered, and placed 

 in a temperature of about 65deg. When the seedlings 

 are large enough to handle, pot off into very small pots, 

 taking care not to insert too deeply, and afterwards plunge 

 in bottom heat. If kept in a moist atmosphere, with a 

 temperature ranging from 60deg. to 70deg., the young 

 plants make rapid progress. 



Offsets. For increasing by offsets, it is necessary to 

 take the old bulbs from the pots, and carefully separate 

 with the least possible injury to the roots. The latter 

 become much interlaced, and do not like disturbance ; 

 consequently, it should not be resorted to more than is 

 requisite. It is best to leave them until several offsets 

 are formed, as the latter increase in size faster when 

 attached to the parent plant, and the necessity of fre- 

 quently disturbing the roots is avoided. The operation 

 should be performed when the plants are at rest. Offsets 

 should be placed singly in pots, but must on no account 

 be overpotted, as they do not succeed in a quantity of 

 soil, which is liable to become soured before being 

 penetrated with roots. Keep the bulb about two-thirds 

 above the level of the soil, dispose the roots evenly, and 

 afterwards plunge in bottom heat, in a position exposed 

 to light. 



Cultivation. Hippeastrnms are more or less ever- 

 green, and, although they require a season of rest, water 

 should never be entirely withheld. The growing season 

 is from early spring, after flowering is over, until about 

 September, when the plants should be kept cool and 

 allowed to rest until February. They may then be 

 placed in a minimum temperature of about GOdeg., and 

 more water and syringings applied. If the bulbs are 

 large enough, and have been well matured, the flower 

 scapes will soon appear, usually a little in advance of 

 the leaves. Young bulbs should be repotted, if they 

 require it, just when starting, shaking out some of the 

 old soil, well filling in the new amongst the roots, and 

 making it quite firm with a hand rammer. Established 

 flowering bulbs in 7in., or larger pots in the case of 

 extra-sized specimens, should have a top-dressing each 

 year when starting ; this being generally sufficient for 

 them, with the aid of manure water in the growing 

 season. Rather heavy, loamy soil should be used, with 

 the addition of some charcoal and crushed bones, and 

 good drainage is very important. Hippeastrums require 

 plenty of light and sunshine, except during the flowering 

 period, when a light shading will tend to preserve the 

 blossoms. In some large nurseries, special houses are 

 now devoted to their accommodation. They are made 

 with a span-roof, thus insuring plenty of light. The 

 pots are plunged level in beds of tan or cocoanut fibre, 

 and a magnificent display is made by the plants when 



