412 On the Treatment of several Genera 



on the approach of our severe frosts, some dry leaves or coarse 

 manure could be thrown up round it, to prevent any danger of 

 freezing; the sashes could be kept open during all pleasant 

 weather, until January, when the pit could be tilled with dry 

 leaves, and the sashes closed until the month of March: at this 

 time the leaves should be removed, and, as the shoots make their 

 appearance, give plenty of air, and protect at night with a cover- 

 ing of some kind over the lights, until April, when they may be 

 wholly taken off. 



/'xia. — This is a very interesting genus of plants, of a slen- 

 der habit, with delicate and beautiful flowers. They are easily 

 grown, and are desirable in the green-house, occupying but little 

 room, where they continue in perfection from March to June. 

 The following are some of the finest species. 



/. viridiflora. — This is, in our opinion, the most beautiful: the 

 flowers are of a bright green, with a dark spot at the base of 

 each petal. It throws up a spike from twelve to eighteen inches 

 in height, with upwards of twenty flowers: it should be in every 

 collection of plants. This and all the other species may be 

 treated as follows: — Plant the bulbs in number two pots, filled 

 with a compost of sandy loam and peat, or leaf mould, in equal 

 parts, three in each, in the month of October or November: 

 place them in the green-house, under the stage, or in some situa- 

 tion where they will not receive too much heat and light, or set 

 them in a frame for a few weeks, until they have filled the pots 

 with roots: at the end of that time, if in the former place, they 

 may remain until they bloom; or if in the latter, they can be re- 

 moved to the green-house, to display their flowers. When they 

 are first potted they should be watered rather sparingly, but as 

 soon as they show any signs of throwing up leaves, give larger 

 quantities: after the flower stems make their appearance the 

 plants will need liberal supplies, which should be continued until 

 the flowers begin to fade; it must then be gradually withheld un- 

 til the leaves have dried up: the bulbs should then be taken up, 

 separated, and put away in dry papers until the time arrives for 

 planting again. English cultivators recommend growing them in 

 pots or frames, in the manner of the gladiolus. 



/. flexuosa. — A very delicate species, with pure white flow- 

 ers. It grows about twelve inches high. 



/. erecta is also a pretty species, with white flowers; it grows 

 very erect, about a foot high. 



There are many more beautiful species, and some varieties, 

 but these are all we have grown ourselves. /. pktens, Heleni 

 and conica, are said to be fine. 



Sparixis. — A not very extensive genus, but containing three 

 or four species, of great elegance. The same compost as re- 

 commended for the ixias will answer equally as well for the spa- 

 raxises. The bulbs should be set out at the same season, and 



