92 THE amateur's geeenhouse 



shells and lumps of charcoal can be conveniently obtained 

 they should be mixed with the crocks. In any case, the 

 drainage must be covered with a layer of the roughest portion 

 of the compost, to prevent the finer parts running down 

 between the potsherds. 



With a drainage such as is here advised the most liberal 

 supplies of water will be required from the time they are 

 fairly in full growth until they begin to go out of bloom. As 

 the flowers fade the supply of water must be lessened, and as 

 the stems decay it should be withheld. The soil, however, 

 must not be allowed to become dust-dry even during the 

 winter, and a moderate quantity of water must be given at 

 intervals to maintain the soil in a nice moist condition. From 

 the time the pots are well filled with roots until the buds are 

 formed, rather weak liquid manure should be used alternately 

 with clear soft water, or very weak liquid manure may be used 

 at all times. 



When in growth, a greenhouse or pit where they can be 

 placed near the glass and enjoy a free circulation of air will 

 be the most suitable position ; or they may be placed in the 

 open air until the buds begin to expand. During the winter 

 a cold frame, with just sufficient protection to keep the frost 

 from the bulbs, will be the most desirable quarter for them. 

 All kinds of lilies love sunshine, though it is generally believed 

 they love the shade. 



LiNTTM. — The Golden Flax, i. Jlavum, is very showy, and 

 when strong plants with well-ma ured growth are placed in an 

 intermediate house at the beginning of February, they bloom 

 profusely early in the spring, and are then very desirable. 

 The directions given for the management of the double wall- 

 flowers may be advantageously followed in the cultivation of 

 the Groldeu Flax. 



Lobelia. — The herbaceous Lobelia is one of the most useful 

 plants we have for conservatory decoration. It is doubly 

 valuable to amateurs who have little room for wintering 

 plants, because it is nearly hardy, and the stock can be pre- 

 served in a cold frame, or plunged in a bed of coal-ashes. The 

 plants that have embellished, during summer, the open bor- 

 ders, can be lifted and placed in a dry corner out of doors, and 

 covered with coal-ashes; and if protected from heavy rains 



