72 THE amateur's GEEEIfnOUSE 



foliage will sometimes remain fresh and plump for a couple of 

 months without water. So long as the plants are thoroughly 

 at rest, it matters not whether the foliage dies away altogether 

 or a few leaves remain green throughout the winter. Bulbs 

 preserved in the way suggested will flower with double the 

 strength of others wintering in a high temperature. 



"When first started, one good watering to wet the soil tho- 

 roughly will be required, and then no more must be given until 

 it is nearly dry again. From this stage increase the supply 

 according to the progress of the plants ; when in full growth 

 more liberal supplies will be necessary, but over-watering 

 must be carefully guarded against in all stages. After the 

 first year regular supplies of weak manure water will be of 

 great assistance in promoting a vigorous growth. When the 

 full growth is made the water must be given at longer inter- 

 vals, but must not be entirely withheld, that the foliage may 

 die off in a gradual and natural manner. 



Anomatheca. — A. cruenta is grown in every garden in 

 Europe, and is esteemed one of the choicest gems of Flora's 

 garland. There are two ways of treating it : one is, to flower 

 it in pots in the greenhouse or frame ; the other is, to put it 

 in pots to grow for a time, and then plant it out in the front 

 of a border. A mixture of loam or leaf-mould, or peat with 

 plenty of sand, will grow it to perfection. When grown in 

 pots, they must be kept quite dry in the 'pots till the time for 

 potting them in fresh soil. If wanted to bloom early, pot 

 them after the leaves have been withered a fortnight, keeping 

 the pots during that period on a hot shelf; then pot them, 

 and place in a gentle warmth. The Anomatheca cruenta may 

 be multiplied by sowing the seeds in spring on a gentle hot- 

 bed, and by dividing the bulbs at the time of planting. It is 

 a great favourite as a window flower. 



Asters belong rather to the flower-garden than the green- 

 house; but as they are valuable when well grown in pots, they 

 must have a place here. We must assume that the reader has 

 obtained a pinch of good seed, and having sown it in a cold 

 frame in April, is in possession of a nice lot of young 

 plants ready for planting out. Select from these a sufficient 

 number of the healthiest plants, no matter how small, and put 

 them in pots for the conservatory. 



