BULBOUS FLOWERS 87 



covering of soft hairs, is the best. Plenty of sun and a south aspect is 

 considered suitable for them, but Mr. Wallace of Colchester writes me : 

 " I rather fancy that shade from the hot midday sun in summer is bene- 

 ficial, and a soil that does not become too hot and dry is preferable. A 

 little good friable loam worked in with the light soil will be found of 

 assistance, and one must not forget that good drainage is also essential. 

 Growing the bulbs in a cold frame, with a raised light over them to 

 admit air and throw off the rain, is perhaps the simplest and most 

 effective method of cultivation. Some of the finest flowers I have 

 ever seen were in the gardens of the Kev. H. Ewbank, St. John's, and 

 Captain Daubuz, Buckingham Villa, both in Ryde, Isle of Wight, 

 during last summer. They were grand, quite three feet high. Flowers of 

 Pictus, Vesta, Citrinus, &c., two inches to three inches across, and as many 

 as eighteen flowers from a bulb, C. clavatus, I saw at Hayes growing in a 

 border outside a greenhouse, a small clump about three feet high, and, 

 counting both flowers and buds, there must have been almost a hundred 

 it was a particularly fine sight. Now that the bulk of the Venustus variety 

 are so cheap, and where a quantity of cut flowers are required, many people 

 want these extensively, growing them in frames ; if cut when just open- 

 ing they last a long time in water. The following is a selection com- 

 prising most of the finest and best: Pulchellus and amcenus, Ben- 

 thami, and Purdyi, of the dwarf-growing kinds. Amongst the true 

 Mariposa Lilies, G. clavatus, splendens, JLyoni, venustus, citrinus, vesta 

 robustus, and the Eldorada strain are to be recommended. I would 

 advise those who have not at present attempted the culture of this 

 beautiful family to procure some of the above kinds and make a start, 

 bearing in mind, however, that it is far better to devote a small corner 

 to them than to have them scattered throughout the garden. The best 

 time for planting is from the middle of October to the middle of Novem- 

 ber, and put the bulbs three inches deep." 



Camassia (The Quamash). Handsome North American plants, 

 producing flower-spikes three feet in height. C. esculenta, purple, and 

 C. Leitchlini, white, are ornamental ; the former is the Quamash. We 

 should, however, choose Daffodils, Tulips, and commoner bulbs before the 

 Camassias. Plant in the autumn, and if there is a meadow or orchard 

 garden the Camassias are pretty there. 



Chionodoxa. Charming plants bearing many-flowered bloom- 

 spikes of deep blue in early spring. C. sardensis, deep blue, is the most 

 striking in colour, but C. Lucili&, which bears larger flowers of a lighter 

 tint, is still more largely grown. C. Alleni and C. grandiflora are im- 

 proved forms of the latter. The popular name for the Chionodoxa is 

 Glory of the Snow. C. Luciliae, in particular, is a delightful bulb, quite 

 easily grown, and may be scattered about the rock-garden, in the border, 

 and is pretty in pots in the greenhouse. In some light soils the Glory 

 of the Snow increases rapidly. We enjoy the fresh blue and white 

 flowers of this plant. C. grandiflora, or gigantea, as it is also called, has 

 larger flowers of a more self shade. Plant in the autumn, and put the 

 bulbs two inches deep. 



Colchicum (Meadow Saffron or Autumn Crocus). This is a charm- 



