1 66 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



bulbs should be potted in the autumn and grown throughout in a light 

 airy position to keep them as sturdy as possible. 



Nerine. The best known of this class is the Guernsey Lily (Nerine 

 sarniensis). It throws up a spike about a foot high, which bears a 

 head of bright carmine rose-coloured flowers. In N. Fothergilli and 

 N. corusca major they are of glowing scarlet. These flower in autumn, 

 grow throughout the winter, die down towards the end of spring, and 

 rest during the summer, when they should be kept quite dry and fully 

 exposed to the sun. A soil principally composed of yellow loam and 

 sand, lightened if necessary by a little leaf-mould, will suit them well. 

 They seldom need repotting. The Nerines form a delightful group of 

 plants, bright and showy. 



Tuberose. The Tuberose is generally regarded as a bulb for 

 forcing, but it will grow and flower in the greenhouse, though, of 

 course, its rate of progress is slower than when more heat is given. 

 The flowers are pure white, and very fragrant, a heavy drowsy per- 

 fume. A mixture of loam, leaf-mould, with, if possible, some well- 

 decayed manure and sand, suits the Tuberose. Before potting, remove 

 all offsets, as they weaken the flower spike. The greater part of the 

 bulb should be covered, and care taken not to give too much water until 

 the roots are active. When in full growth, a little liquid manure about 

 every ten days is beneficial. Pots five inches in diameter are suitable 

 for the Tuberose bulbs. 



Vallota purpurea. This, known as the Scarborough Lily, is a 

 great favourite in this country, and during August and September it is 

 welcome in the greenhouse. The large reddish-scarlet flowers are 

 borne in a good-sized head on a stem a foot or so high. It is a native 

 of South Africa, and needs the same treatment as given above for the 

 different Nerines. The bulbs frequently flourish in quite cottage windows. 

 The secret is not to disturb the plant too often ; the finest display is 

 usually given by bulbs which have not only filled the pot but are almost 

 bursting it. 



Besides the plants mentioned there are many bulbs that require a 

 greenhouse, as if at all exposed to frost they perish. A selection of the 

 best of these would include : Amaryllis, also known as Hippeastrum. A 

 class of plants with strap-shaped leaves, and large showy flowers, pro- 

 duced during the first three months of the year. After this they com- 

 plete their growth, rest during the winter, when they should be kept 

 dry, and when watered early in the new year the flower spikes quickly 

 appear. The large Lily-like flowers vary in colour from almost pure 

 white to rich glowing crimson. 



