2G0 ACHIMENES. 



varying in shape in the different species. Early in Febru- 

 ary, the bulbs should be turned out of the old soil, and 

 carefully planted, about half an inch deep, in a compost of 

 decomposed peat, silver-sand, and leaf-mould. After a- 

 gentle watering to settle the soil, the pans should be placed 

 in gentle bottom-heat, or over the flue in the stove, where 

 the temperature will be about 75°. Here they may remain 

 until the shoots are an inch high. Another mode is 

 to start the plants thickly in large pans, in bottom-heat^ 

 and, when the plants are an inch high, to transplant them 

 to the blooming pans ; the advantage of which is, that no 

 bulbs fail to come, and you can so arrange the sizes by 

 planting the larger in the middle, and the smaller round 

 the side of the pan, as to form a mass of foliage and bloom. 

 The plants should then be placed in a house where the 

 temperature at night does not fall below G0°, and near the 

 glass, that they may grow sturdy. Let the soil be kept 

 damp, but not wet, and syringe occasionally. Should the 

 sun cause them to droop, shade a little at noon. When the 

 plants are about five inches high, they should be tied to 

 neat stakes, which should be as small as possible, and 

 painted green. Fill up the pots (which should not, till now, 



