30 



.during winter in boxes of dry sand, and planted out in the open garden at the 

 -end of April, or beginning of Mayj in a rich sandy loam, where they will blocm 

 with the utmost splendor. The difierent species of Zephyranthes, Crinum, and 

 Pancratium, will succeed admirably by the same course of culture. In planting 

 the above-named roots, place the bulb so that one-third of its diameter will be 

 above the surface of the ground. This is to apply to all, except the Amaryllis 

 Formossissima or Jacobean Lily, which should have the bulb covered, leaving 

 the neck only to project above the surface of the ground. Tuberoses, and the 

 Feraria tygridia, or Tiger flower, should be planted at the depth of one inch, the 

 numerous oftsets on the former being first broken oflfto prevent their impoverish- 

 ing the main root and arresting the bloom. The double and striped leaved 

 Tuberoses are greatly admired ; the latter of these, and the Common Single 

 flowering, are more certain in their bloom than the double variety. The species 

 oi Feraria are exceedingly beautiful, and therefore much admired. 



Hyacinths and other Bulbs in pots or glasses fw winter blooming. — For this 

 purpose Single Hyacinths, and those designated as earliest among the double, 

 are to be preferred. The Polyanthus Narcissus, Italian, or Roman Narcissus, 

 Double Narcissus, Double and Single .Jonquils, Persian Iris, Crocus, the winter 

 and spring flowering varieties of the Cyclamen, and the Double and Single Duke 

 van Thol Tulips, make also a fine appearance during the winter season. Bulbs 

 intended for blooming in pots during the winter, should be planted during the 

 months of October and November, and left exposed to the open air until the 

 ground begins to freeze, when they should be removed to the Greenhouse or to 

 a warm room. They will need occasionally moderate waterings before they 

 begin to vegetate, and when they attain to a growing state should receive a 

 plentiful supply by pouring it into the saucers. They should at all times be 

 exposed as much as possible to the sun, air, and light, to prevent their foliage 

 from growing too long, or becoming of a yellow hue. Bulbs cultivated after 

 .this manner will mostly bloom in January, and next to the Hyacinth, the 

 Polyanthus Narcissus, and Double Italian, or Roman Narcissus, may be ranked 

 among the most desirable for beauty, fragrance, and easy culture. 



Those intended for glasses should be placed in them about the middle of 

 November, the glasses being previously filled with pure water, so that the bottom 

 .of the bulb may just touch the water ; then place them for the first ten days in 

 a dark room, to promote the shooting of the roots, after which expose them to 

 Jhe sun and light as much as possible. They will bloom, however, with little 

 or no sun, but the flowers will be inferior' in color. The water should be 

 changed as often as it becomes impure, at which period the roots ought to be 

 •drawn entirely out of the glasses and rinsed in clean water, the glasses being at 

 the same time well washed inside. Rain or soft water is preferable to that 

 termed hard, but either will answer the f)uiposfc, provided it be perfectly clear. 

 Bulbs that have been forced are of but little value, and require a considerable 

 period to regain their natural vigor. When removed from the pots or glasses, 

 they should be immersed in water for a week, and then planted in a soil properly 

 prepared, where they will usually commence flowering cgain the second year. 



Dahlia, or Geor^ina. — Few of our most rustic plants exact less care than this 

 splendid native ot Mexico. Indeed, so simple is its culture, that it is already 

 widely disseminated in every part of Europe, as well as in the West Indies, 

 .South America, &c., in all of which it has been found to succeed. It will thrive 

 in any good soil, but as is the case with other plants held in great estimation, 

 amateurs bestow more care on its culture than is absolutely required, and have 

 adopted particular rules for that object. The roots are tuberous, and t<wards 

 the last (H April they begin to push out young shoots at the base of the stem of 

 the previous year. At this period, or in May^ they should be planted ; they will, 

 however, succeed perfectly well if this is deferred till June, but will not come sp 

 soon into flowering. In England they usually, from choice, plant the Dahlia in 

 poor, gravelly soil, in order to render it more dwarf in stature, and this course 

 may have its advantage in a humid atmosphere. In our own country, however, 

 where the heat of summer is excessive, and where we are sometimes visited by 

 severe drought, the Dahlia would often be absolutely blighted, unless the soil 

 were sufficiently rich and retentive of mni.'-ture. \Vhen planted in a generous 

 soil, our climate is so extremely congenial to its habits, that it expands with the 

 utmost luxuriance, attaining a degree of beauty in its development, if not 

 Uiiequalled, at least not to be surpassed. 



The course we have adopted for its culture, although extremely simple, has 

 been einiuently successful, and the directions we shall now give are in accordance 

 therewith- Make the ground tnellow to the depth of eighteen inches, digging in 



