262 breck's new book of flowers. 



By no means destroy the old roots, but carefully place 

 them amongst the fresh soil. If large examples, for par- 

 ticular display, are required, large pots may be employed, 

 and half a dozen flowering bulbs placed in each pot. The 

 soil I use is rough peat. The pots should be well drained, 

 and the crown of the bulb just covered with the soil ; 

 when potted, they should be placed in a cold pit or frame, 

 in order to prevent the soil from freezing, 'although frost 

 will not injure the bulb. Where room imder glass is an 

 object in winter, they may be phmged in the open air in 

 coal ashes, in a manner similar to potted Hyacinths. I 

 liave at this time a large number coming into flower, 

 which have never been under glass until within these few 

 days ; they have sustained no iujury from exposure, and 

 they present every appearance of making a grand display. 

 There is scarcely any plant which is so much benefited by 

 •liquid manure as the Lily If used in a clear state, and 

 considerably diluted, this water alone may be apphed for 

 at least a month before it comes into flower. 



"If the object should be out-door cultivation entirely, 

 I should recommend them to be planted in beds ; their ef- 

 fect is exceedingly grand. Excavate the soil eighteen 

 inches deep, and fill in the bottom, a foot deep, with very 

 coarse peat, intermixed with one-fifth of decayed manure 

 or leaf mould. The remaining six inches may be en- 

 tirely peat. If the bulbs are large enough to bloom, 

 2:>lant them twelve inches apart every way ; and if beds 

 of each kind are brought into contact with one another, 

 tlie effect will be magnificent." 



Among the varieties sold by the florists are ruhrum^ 

 white with critnson spots ; alburn^ pure Avhitc ; roseum^ 

 white with rose-colored spots. Melpomene^ with very 

 dark spots. Monstrosum^ a curious variety in which sev- 

 eral stems seem to l)e soldered together and produce a 

 magnificent head, of from thirty to fifty flowers. 



