262 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



TIGER FLOWER. 



(TIGRIDIA CONCHIFLORA.) 



" This, nor gems, nor stores of gold, 

 Nor purple state, nor culture, can bestow; 

 But God alone when first his active hand 

 Imprints the secret bias of the soul, 

 He, mighty Parent! wise and just in all,. 

 Free as the vital breeze or light of heaven, 

 Reveals the charms of nature." 



This plant is a native of Mexico, belonging to Mono,- 

 delphia Triandria, of the natural order Iridea, and is 

 much esteemed for the beauty displayed in its singular form 

 and color, which is a splendid yellow, cup shape, the 

 centre tinged and spotted with bright crimson, so diversi- 

 fied as to give a unique appearance ; it is composed of six 

 petals ; the cup itself is about two inches across ; the outer 

 petals are reflexed, and would measure about four inches 

 across ; the stem is over two feet in height, and, like most 

 Mexican plants, it is rather tender ; in a dormant state it 

 must be packed in sand (dry, of course), and placed where 

 the frost will not injure the bulbs. 



To flower this plant well will require a rich sandy 

 loam ; it will not succeed in a clay soil which is too stiff, 

 unless made rich with manure and a portion of sand to 

 render it of such consistence as to admit the root fibres to 

 pass through with facility. Many persons are curious in 

 raising bulbous roots from seed, for the sake of new varie- 

 ties ; but with regard to this genera, I should say it is not 



