AND COKSEBTATOET. 85 



waste the reader's time in attempting to explain it. As soon 

 as the seed is ripe, which is generally the case in July, it 

 should be sown in pans, filled with equal parts of peat, loam, 

 and leaf-mould, with the addition of a moderate quantity of 

 silver sand, and a good drainage in the bottom. The compost 

 must be broken up rather small, without sifting, so that the 

 young plants can be taken up, when the time arrives for 

 potting them, without injuring the roots. The seed-pans 

 should be placed in a close part of the stove or cucumber-house, 

 or on a moist hotbed, where they will have the benefit of a 

 mean temperature of 75°. As the young foliage begins to 

 show nicely above the surface, a light position, with rather 

 more air, and not quite so warm, will be more suitable for them. 

 Great caution is necessary in watering at this stage, as the 

 plants have to remain some time in the seed-bed. 



By November the corms will have attained considerable 

 dimensions, and be ready for potting off separately. The 

 same soil must be used as before, and the plants lifted carefully 

 and potted firm, the corms on the surface, in small 60's. The 

 weather will not permit much air at this season, but they 

 should be placed near the glass, and a temperature of 55° or 60° 

 maintained. As the days lengthen, a rise of five degrees may 

 be allowed, with more liberal ventilation. Early in May, 

 remove the plants to a cold frame in a rather shady position, 

 and keep them growing steadily until the end of August or 

 beginning of September. At this stage they will require 

 shifting into five- or six-inch pots ; the largest size should only 

 be used for the very largest plants, as they do very little good 

 if overpotted. 



There should be a slight alteration in the compost at this 

 potting by taking away half the leaf-mould and replacing it 

 with the same quantity of fresh horse-droppings, dry enough 

 to mix readily. The cold frame will be the best place for a 

 month afterwards, as it can be kept rather close, to promote 

 free rooting in the new soil. 



In October, remove the stock to the greenhouse near the 

 glass where they will enjoy a humid atmosphere and an average 

 temperature of' 50°. They must be watered with great care, 

 with water of the same temperature as the house. They will 

 soon begin to flower and may then be taken to the conser- 

 vatory, where their elegant fragrant flowers will charm away 

 all the gloom of the winter season. 



