THE TIGRIDIA 147 



should be recalled that the growth of vege- 

 tation in tropical regions is so luxuriant that 

 low-growing plants of this order are not usually 

 subject to the direct rays of the sun through- 

 out the day. 



The bulbs of the tiger plant are elongated and 

 tunicated, and multiply by division somewhat 

 after the manner of the hyacinths, tulips, and 

 the allied races in general. It goes without 

 saying that the bulbs of the new tiger plants 

 were improved in proportion to the stalks and 

 flowers. 



The bulbs of the new hybrid Tigridias were 

 doubled in bulk, and in some cases quadrupled, 

 as contrasted with the parent forms. Like the 

 somewhat similar bulbs of the gladiolus, they 

 may best be kept in the ground over winter 

 here in California, instead of being taken 

 up and stored as is necessary in colder 

 climates. 



The development of the bulbs of the Tigridias 

 has not been at all a matter of accident. At all 

 stages of the experiment in hybridizing and 

 selection, I have paid the most careful attention 

 to the condition of the bulbs, selecting always 

 those that w^ere largest, firmest and soundest. 

 And the reason for this was not merely that such 

 bulbs usually produce the best flowers, but also 



