366 On the Treatment of several Genera of 



order. In the paper alluded to the mode of managing the Gla- 

 diolus, />is, Sparaxis, and Anomatheca, was treated at length; 

 we now add those other genera which we then named, viz. Wat- 

 sonm, Babidna, Antholyza, Tritonia, and Hesperantha. Nei- 

 ther of the latter are so universally admired or generally cultivated 

 genera as the former; but they are, however, of considerable in- 

 terest, and some of the individuals belonging to each genus are 

 quite beautiful. 



The cultivation of the plants of this order is yet very limited, 

 and, with the exception of Gladiolus and /'xia, few collections 

 possess any — or, if any, not but one or two — of the others. 

 Sparaxis is not much known, Anomatheca less, and Babidna 

 and Hesperantha are hardly to be found at all. The whole stock 

 in the vicinity of Boston has, we believe, in the first instance, 

 been received from the Cape of Good Hope, by the liberality of 

 the Baron von Ludwig, who sent bulbs to the Horticultural So- 

 ciety, from whence they were distributed among the members. 

 Many of the bulbs have been lost, from mismanagement, and but 

 a part of the various species now remain. 



JVatson'm. — A genus numbering upwards of a dozen species, 

 some of which are in our collections, under the name of Gladio- 

 lus; they are, however, easily distinguished from the latter, by 

 their peculiar flat bulbs. The handsomest of the genus are the 

 following : — 



W. rosea. — This species grows about two feet high, quite 

 robust, with pyramidal spikes of rosy pink flowers, and is very 

 ornamental. 



W. iridifolia. — Another strong growing one, the most robust 

 of the whole. The flowers are flesh colored, and the spikes at- 

 tain the height of three feet. 



W. aletroides. — This species grows about a foot and a half 

 high, and has scarlet flowers; there is also a variegated variety, 

 equally handsome. 



W. fulgida. — A species growing upwards of four feet high, 

 with fine spikes of bright red or scarlet flowers. 



W. spicata and Meriana are also very ornamental species, the 

 former with pink and the latter with flesh colored blossoms. 



These are the species more generally cultivated, though the 

 others possess considerable beauty. They are all grown in a 

 similar soil to that recommended for Gladiolus, viz. peat and 

 loam. The bulbs should be potted at this season of the year, 

 one bulb of the weaker growing species in each number two pot, 

 and one of the strongest bulbs into a number four pot. Give 

 the pots a good draining with broken potsherds, and, after the 

 bulbs are planted, place them in a frame, or under the stage in 

 the green-house, until the approach of severe weather; as soon 

 as the shoots appear above the soil the plants should be allowed 



