AKB CONSEEYATOET, 71 



It IS not well to disturb the roots of amaryllis frequently ; 

 a fresh pot once in two or three years is enough, and will grow- 

 better plants than can be accomplished by the annual shift 

 usually practised. 



As the bulb should stand in the same pot two or three years, 

 particular attention should be paid to the drainage, and a few 

 pieces of rough turf placed over the crocks to prevent the soil 

 running down amongst them. The crocks should be packed 

 with care, and there should be no stint of them. 



The spring is the best season for repotting, because the bulbs 

 are then starting into growth and make their new roots in the 

 new stuff, and have all the advantage of it from the first. It is a 

 good plan to repot a portion every spring, and not to allow a 

 single flower on the lot last potted, but to pinch out the flower- 

 buds as soon as they appear. Always pot firm, and always 

 give them a substantial loamy compost. 



Amaryllis will stand forcing very well, but it is not advisable 

 to start them too early if required for conservatory decora- 

 tion, as that structure will be too cold for the tender growth 

 and flowers. Generally speaking, forcing should begin about 

 the end of February, and those which show the most prominent 

 signs of activity should be started first. To keep up a suc- 

 cession, draft out a batch every three weeks, as long as they 

 last, and place them in warmth to start, each time selecting 

 the most forward for pushing on. It is a mistake to suppose 

 that they require strong bottom-heat for starting them into 

 growth, and, indeed, the common practice of putting them on 

 a strong bottom-heat is injurious, and accounts for the alleged 

 difiiculty of growing them, and the fewness of those who make 

 the attempt. In a plant-house, the temperature of which 

 averages 60° in the spring, amaryllis will start into growth well 

 and flower superbly, and may be thence drafted to the con- 

 servatory, and there remain until their glory is past. While 

 in the conservatory they must be protected from cold draughts, 

 and when done flowering should be returned to the greenhouse 

 to finish their growth. 



A decided season of rest is essential to the bulbs, but it is 

 a serious mistake to suppose it to be necessary to place them 

 contiguous to the heating apparatus, and hundreds, nay, thou- 

 sands, of bulbs are injured annually from this cause. It is 

 also worthy of observation that the drying off" must be done in 

 a gradual manner. AVhen this is accomplished properly the 



