A CHIMENESA GAPANTHUS 279 



in any one variety year after year, because the seasons are beyond 

 human control. But those who regularly visit Holland can always 

 obtain the finest roots of the year, although it may be necessary to 

 select from many sources. 



Such bulbs as Lilies, Iris, Montbretia, Hyacinthus, and Alstrce- 

 meria suffer no deterioration after the first year's flowering. Indeed, 

 it will be the cultivator's fault if they do not increase in number and 

 carry finer heads of bloom in succeeding years. As outdoor subjects 

 some of them are not yet appreciated at their full value. Magnificent 

 as Lilium auratum and L. lancifolium must ever be in conservatories, 

 they exhibit their imposing proportions to greater advantage, and 

 their wealth of perfume is far more acceptable, when grown among 

 handsome shrubs in the border. Very little attention is needed to 

 bring them up year after year in ever increasing loveliness. 



ACHIMENES 



THESE showy stove bulbs have been considerably improved of late 

 years, and the varieties that now obtain favour are remarkable for 

 their beauty. Given a sufficiency of heat, and the cultivation is of 

 the easiest nature, for they grow rapidly and flower freely, if potted 

 in sandy peat, and kept in a warm greenhouse or the coolest part of 

 a stove, in a somewhat humid atmosphere. It needs only the sim- 

 plest management to have these plants in flower at almost any season 

 of the year, for the bulbs may be kept dormant for a considerable 

 length of time without injury, and may be started into growth as 

 required to keep up a long succession of flowers. They are occa- 

 sionally well grown in common frames over hot-beds. For suspended 

 baskets Achimenes are invaluable. 



AGAPANTHUS 



IT is not generally known that this noble plant is quite hardy, 

 and succeeds admirably if planted out between September and 

 March in a rich, deep, moist loam, either in full sun or in partial 

 shade. When grown in pots it requires a strong loamy soil, with 

 plenty of manure, and throughout the summer the pots should be 

 allowed to stand in pans of water. As the Agapanthus is a gross- 

 feeding plant, it should be re-potted annually in autumn, and be 



