BULBS AND TUBERS FOR OUT-DOOR CULTURE. 77 



Discussion. 



William E. Endicott said that the Amaryllis lutea spoken of by 

 the essayist is now called by botanists Sternbergia lutea, and 

 inquired whether it would stand out over winter. 



Mrs. Nelson replied that it would ; her plants were taken up by 

 mistake, but her friends have left theirs in the ground, as they 

 should be. It must be covered like Lilium longiflorum. 



Mr. Endicott said that there is a species of Agapantlius, A. minor 

 var. Mooreamis, not so fine as the common kind, but it is decidu- 

 ous and may be treated like the dahlia. The flowers are smaller 

 and of a deeper blue than those of A. umhellatus. The flowers 

 recommended by the essayist are mostly old varieties, to which many 

 later kinds might be added. The Cypella is an excellent little 

 flower, resembling the Tigridia. Trlteleia unijiora and Milla hijlora 

 are perfectly hardy, but force easil}'. There is another white spe- 

 cies of Ismene besides calathinum. AmorphopJiallus campanula- 

 tiis and A. hulbiferus are fine species much like the well known A. 

 Rivieri. Tritonia aurea, from Caffraria, has a bright yellow 

 flower. Montbretia crocosma'Jiora was orange colored in the type, 

 but either it has sported or seedlings have given us varieties. 



Mr. Endicott urged the growing of dahlias from seed. They 

 grow with great vigor, planted in the open ground like corn, and 

 flower nearly as early as if tubers were planted. The seed of 

 single kinds is sure to produce good varieties ; that of double 

 kinds may give a good flower out of two or three hundred. He 

 had sown seed of white Pompon asters, and got every type, the 

 principle of variation being strongly- established. In saving seed 

 the flowers should be cut when nearly withered, and hung in a dry 

 place. Double Composite flowers make seed freely. 



Robert T. Jackson said that Mr. John Richardson, who is now 

 eighty-seven years old, has raised dahlias for fifty years, and he 

 always saves the seed only from within half an incji of the outside 

 edge. 



Mr. Endicott said that he had found the Begonia discolor espe- 

 ciall}' valuable out-doors. He has plants under an apple tree 

 which thrive well, and the foliage is ornamental. It is perfectly 

 hardy, but it is better to take it in during winter because then it 

 flowers more strongl}-. 



President Walcott inquired the experience of those present with 



