VALLOTA WINTER ACONITE-ZEPHYRANTHES 309 



interesting border may be made by planting clumps of all the best 

 sorts of the several classes. The result will be a long-continued and 

 splendid display, beginning with the ' Van Thols ' (which are as hardy 

 as any), then following with the early class in almost endless variety, 

 and finishing with the noble * Gesneriana,' and the flamed and 

 feathered varieties of the late section. 



VALLOTA PURPUREA 



THIS brilliant plant is nearly hardy in the southern counties, and a 

 cool greenhouse plant where it cannot be grown in the open border. 

 To produce fine specimens, a regular system of potting on must be 

 practised, a firm loamy soil being employed, with abundance of 

 water all the summer, and moderate supplies all the winter. To 

 ' dry it off ' is to kill or weaken the bulb past recovery. It is a sub- 

 stitute for the Amaryllis, with those who cannot cultivate that plant. 



VIOLET, DOG'S-TOOTH (See page 2^} 



WINTER ACONITE 



THE Winter Aconite is the very ' firstling ' of the year, for it blooms 

 in advance of the Snowdrop, covering the ground with gilt spangles 

 in the bleakest days of February. Any soil or situation will suit it, 

 and it should be planted in large patches where a winter's walk in 

 the garden is valued. It should also be grown in quantity within 

 view from the windows, for the benefit of those who, in the dreary 

 season, cannot get out. The bulbs may be left in the ground for 

 several years, or they may be taken up and stored after the leaves 

 have perished. 



ZEPHYRANTHES CANDIDA 



Flower of the West Wind 



A DWARF white Crocus-like flower, with foliage resembling the com- 

 mon rush on a small scale. Plant in clumps from November to 

 March in borders, and it will commence blooming about the end of 

 July, and continue in flower until frost cuts it down. Any soil will 

 suit it, and it thrives 1 for several years if left undisturbed. 



