198 Narcissus Bicolor, 



The Mexican House. — The arrangement for the Mexican, or cooler 

 house, may be the same as the other, with the exception of the tank. 

 In its place should be a stage, or one broad platfoi-m, as occasion 

 requires, according to the size of the plants. There is no necessity for 

 the platforms in this house being made water-tight. 



Heating. — When orchids make their annual grpwth, they then 

 require a great amount of heat ; and it is best that the season of growth 

 should be so regulated that it will be between the months of April and 

 September, when the days are long, and you have most sun to help 

 you. At this time they require a great deal of moisture, and the new 

 growth is less liable to rot than in dull days. But objections may be 

 made that the new growth does not come uniformly ; some will have a 

 propensity to grow in winter. True ; but by a little perseverance that 

 can be changed just as well as grapes can be forced in April or May, 

 or roses at New Year's ; and when the habits are once changed, they 

 become more fixed every season, and will remain so as long as the 

 cultivator pleases. 



I think it will be seen that heat can be economized very much 

 indeed to have the growing season at the periods above named as far 

 as possible. Now, the best way of heating, and easiest to be managed, 

 is by hot-water pipes ; and on the top of the flow-pipe, about every 

 third length, should be a tank, that should be kept filled with water, 

 and when the pipes ai-e warm the heat will cause a gentle moisture 

 which will rise among the plants, and be of great benefit to them. 



NARCISSUS BICOLOR. 



By John C. Hoyey, Cambridge, MAss, 



Among the many species and varieties of Narcissus now in cultiva- 

 tion, none are more worthy of a place in every garden than this. 



It is a native of the Pyrenees, and although cultivated in English and 

 French gardens for more than two centuries, is still rare, and but sel- 

 dom found catalogued by florists. 



The flowers are two-colored ; the outside petals, or corolla, being 

 sulphur yellow, and the crown, or trumpet, of a rich orange, thus 

 making a very striking contrast. It flowers the middle of May ; is 

 perfectly hardy, and sweet scented. 



