ACHJMENES. 51 



a'good drainage, as the plant requires plenty of water, still 

 must not be allowed to become stagnant in the pot. The 

 Achimenes will always be cheap, as it increases fast when 

 kept in the green-house ; with those not having that conve- 

 nience it would be best to purchase of the nurseryman in 

 June, when in flower, it would save much trouble and dis- 

 appointment in bringing them forward. Those who wish 

 to raise their own plants should, as soon as their plants die 

 down, place the pots in a cellar in the winter, but if allow- 

 ed to get damp or freeze, the bulbs would be destroyed, or 

 the bulbs may be packed in dry sand. In March the bulbs 

 should be potted into two inch pots and placed in a hot-bed, 

 and be kept moderately moist ; in three or four weeks the 

 plants will begin to appear. When you discover the pot 

 filled with roots, repot them into four inch pots, which will 

 be large enough for them to flower in, as this plant does 

 not extend its roots far, therefore requires a smaller pot than 

 many other plants, but a larger one is generally used than 

 necessary, otherwise the top would be too heavy for the pot. 

 The time of their flowering will depend on the propagator 

 either late or early, the sooner brought to flower the better, 

 for if late the cold in the fall will stop them. Notwith- 

 standing the difficulty attending this plant, the trouble will 

 amply compensate in their magnificent display of flowers 

 which is very profuse. 





