18 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



have formed bulbs about the size of peas they should be pricked 

 out into thumb pots (using a soil of equal parts of loam, leaf 

 mould and sand) and carefully watered as they require it, never 

 letting them get dust dry. As the pots become filled with roots, 

 shift into those of a size larger, using the same compost, with less 

 of the sand. As the summer advances it will be better to put the 

 plants in a cold frame, where they can be shaded from the intense 

 sun, but have abundance of light and air at all times. Water 

 carefully, as they require it, never losing sight of the fact that 

 there is to be no drying off; but the plants must be kept in a nice 

 growing condition until they flower. As the weather grows cool 

 and there is danger of frost, the plants should be removed to the 

 greenhouse, keeping them near the glass, and as nearly as possi- 

 ble maintaining the temperature of the house at fifty, although 

 they will bear a temperature of ten or fifteen degrees less with 

 impunitj'^ before they flower. A cold, damp atmosphere is injurious 

 to the plants when in flower, producing the " beautifully mottled 

 and spotted varieties," which we see constantly advertised in the 

 seed catalogues, and if long continued in such an atmosphere the 

 " beautiful spots " spread and run, degenerating into a dingy, dirty 

 color. As the plants go out of flower they should be placed in a 

 dry, airy position, with full exposure to the sun, and gradually 

 dried oflf. When the bulbs are thoroughly ripened they should be 

 .planted out in the garden, in a dry position, where they can have 

 some protection, in case of heavy or long continued rains. Repot 

 in September in the soil before recommended, and give little water 

 until the roots and foliage are nicely developed. Keep the plants 

 in the cold frame until there is danger from frost, when they should 

 be removed to the greenhouse, and water as before directed for 

 the seedling plants. 



Mr. O'Brien added that the plants exhibited by him were oue 

 and two jears from seed. The seed of the former was sown Jan. 

 27, 1873, in the ordinary heat of the greenhouse bench, and the 

 bulbs afterwards pricked out in two-inch pots and shifted as 

 required into four, five, and six-inch pots. Flowering the first 

 year is not injurious to the plants. The critical time is after 

 flowering. They should then be placed in a good position, and 

 some water should be given. The bulb increases in size through 

 the summer, and care should be taken that it is well ripened, and 



