GREENHOUSE AND STOVE BULBS 107 



There are a number of very handsome species, among 

 the best being abyssinicus, scarlet ; cinnabarinus, red ; 

 incarnatus, flesh ; insignis, orange-scarlet ; Kalbreyeri, 

 crimson ; Katherinae, deep red ; natalensis, green, bracts, 

 purple ; puniceus, scarlet ; and sanguineus, scarlet. 

 Albo-maculatus, hirsutus, and virescens albiflos are 

 the best whites. 



HlPPEASTRUMS 



Under their popular name of " Amaryllises," the 

 Hippeastrums have for years been increasingly grown 

 by those who desire to make their glass structures gay 

 with bulbous plants which are distinct from the ordinary 

 forcing bulbs of winter and spring. Their deserved 

 popularity has been increased by the wonderful improve- 

 ments which have been in progress for years among 

 these plants which are naturally beautiful and have such 

 brilliant colouring. Some of the original species are 

 very handsome, but the seedling varieties and hybrids 

 are superior to these. It is generally accepted that these 

 improved Hippeastrums are largely due to the hybridisa- 

 tion of some of these species, but there is considerable 

 doubt regarding the parentage of some of these reputed 

 hybrids. However this may be, there can be no two 

 opinions regarding the value and beauty of the plants 

 themselves, with which greenhouses and stoves may be 

 made gay for months at a time. 



The greater number of the Hippeastrums are easily 

 grown in a temperature of at least sixty degrees, although 

 some even suggest five degrees less. They can, how- 

 ever, take more heat with advantage. This heat is 

 required during the growing season, from February to 

 September, after which they should be kept cooler, and 

 only moist enough to keep the roots alive. During the 

 growing period full supplies of water are required. They 



