AND CONSEEVATOBY. 103 



centre. ^S*. elegans is white and blue, and more scarce than 

 (S. cuprea. These may be grown in the same way as Ixias, in 

 a warm, sheltered border, or in pots. When grown in the 

 greenhouse, they flower in April or May ; but in the border 

 they do not flower till June. 



Teitonia. is a grand section of Irids, and some of the 

 species much resemble Ixias. The same treatment as Ixias 

 will suit them. T. aurea is the only one which it is quite safe 

 to grow out of doors, and that must have some protection in 

 winter. November is the proper time to pot them, in a mix- 

 ture of loam, leaf-mould, and peat, with plenty of bright sand. 

 Keep them rather dry till they begin to grow. T. aurea makes 

 a fine bush-like plant if grown in a large pot. Five bulbs may 

 be put in a pot seven inches across, and the plants will grow 

 two feet high, and bloom superbly. The colour of the flowers 

 is reddish-orange. The best of all for the greenhouse shelf is 

 T. crocata, which can be grown five bulbs in a G-inch pot ; and 

 most important is it that the bulbs are not disturbed or re- 

 potted more often than every four or five years, for when re- 

 potted often they do not flower well. The plants should not 

 be tied to sticks, but be allowed to fall about in their own way ; 

 they are then very pretty with garlands of scarlet-orange 

 flowers. T. rosea is a beautiful rosy flower. The best way for 

 the amateur who loves fine flowers is to grow all the Tritonias 

 and Ixias obtainable. He will not easily obtain too many 

 sorts, for each will have a charm to aff'ord him fresh delight. 



Tulips. — Treat as directed for hyacinths, but put three 

 bulbs in a 48-size pot. The early tulips are the most useful 

 for greenhouse culture, and the safest way to ensure a flue 

 display is to have two sets of bulbs, so as to be enabled to 

 plant them out alternately in October, one season's growth in 

 the open ground in rich soil being sufiicient to restore their 

 energies for growing in pots again the following season. They 

 increase freely by ofi"3ets, and considering their high quality, 

 and that one purchase of roots is sufiicient for a lifetime, 

 they are the cheapest of all the early flowering bulbs in 

 cultivation. 



Violets. — The Neapolitan and Russian violets are well 

 known, yet they are not grown so extensively in small gardens 



