HARDY BULBS 23 



Meadow Saffrons are cilicicum, Bertoloni, Decaisnei, 

 alpinum, variegatum, Bivoniae, and montanum. The 

 spring-blooming crociflorum, with white flowers lined 

 with violet, is small and much affected by slugs. The 

 new hydrophyllum, which likes a damp spot, is a neat 

 little spring species ; luteum, also blooming in spring, 

 does not appear to be so hardy as any of the others. 



CONVALLARIAS 



The cultivation of the Lily of the Valley out of doors 

 calls for no special remarks beyond saying that it likes 

 shade and some moisture. It is also desirable to men- 

 tion that there are varieties with pink flowers ; with 

 double white flowers ; and with gold-striped leaves. 

 The first of these shows its colouring much better out- 

 side than when grown under glass. Fortin's variety 

 and prolificans are specially good forms. 



FORCING LILY OF THE VALLEY 



Lily of the Valley is easily forced, and this can be 

 done either by lifting large clumps or purchasing crowns, 

 and growing them in a hot-bed or by planting them in 

 pans or pots. The crowns should be kept above the soil, 

 and they ought to be kept moist and dark until they have 

 made some growth, when light should be given. For 

 early bloom at Christmas, the crowns ought to be potted 

 in the beginning or middle of November. A temperature 

 of from 65 to 70 degrees is suitable for forcing this 

 favourite flower. Retarded crowns are coming into 

 favour, and give good results with careful treatment. 

 It is inadvisable to put these in heat at first. 



CORYDALISES 



The tuberous-rooted Corydalises are pretty plants 

 resembling in bloom those of the genus which have a 



