BULBOUS FLOWERS 99 



the borders ; they must be planted in masses, and it is wise to devote a 

 small part of the garden to them, as then their requirements are easily 

 supplied. The dwarf -growing species, the Cyclobothras and Star Tulips 

 are best in little corners and ledges facing south in the rock-garden. 

 Among these, C. Purdyi, white and quite downy from its covering of 

 soft hairs, is the best. Plenty of sun and a south aspect is considered 

 suitable for them, but Mr. Wallace of Colchester writes me : " I rather 

 fancy that shade from the hot midday sun in summer is beneficial, and 

 a soil that does not become too hot and dry is preferable. A little good 

 friable loam worked in with the light soil will be found of assistance, 

 and one must not forget that good drainage is also essential. Growing 

 the bulbs in a cold frame, with a raised light over them to admit air and 

 throw off the rain, is perhaps the simplest and most effective method of 

 cultivation. Some of the finest flowers I have ever seen were in the 

 gardens of the Rev. E. H. Ewbank, St. John's, and Captain Daubuz, 

 Buckingham Villa, both in Ryde, Isle of Wight, some years ago. 

 They were grand, quite three feet high. Flowers of Pictus, Vesta, 

 Citrinus, &c., two inches to three inches across, and as many as eighteen 

 flowers from a bulb; C. davatus I saw at Hayes growing in a border 

 outside a greenhouse, a small clump about three feet high, and, counting 

 both flowers and buds, there must have been almost a hundred it was 

 a particularly fine sight. Now that the bulk of the Venustus variety 

 are so cheap, and where a quantity of cut flowers are required, many 

 people want these extensively, growing them in frames ; if cut when just 

 opening they last a long time in water. The following is a selection com- 

 prising most of the finest and best : Pulchellus and amcenus, Benthami, 

 and Purdyi, of the dwarf -growing kinds. Amongst the true Mariposa 

 Lilies, C. davatus, splendens, Lyoni, venustus, citrinus, vesta robustus, and 

 the Eldorada strain are to be recommended. I would advise those who 

 have not at present attempted the culture of this beautiful family to 

 procure some of the above kinds and make a start, bearing in mind, 

 however, that it is far better to devote a small corner to them than to 

 have them scattered throughout the garden. The best time for planting 

 is from the middle of October to the middle of November, and put the 

 bulbs three inches deep." 



Camassia (The Quamash). Handsome North American plants, 

 producing flower-spikes three feet in height. C. esculenta, purple, and 

 C. Leitchlini, white, are ornamental ; the former is the Quamash. We 

 should, however, choose Daffodils, Tulips, and commoner bulbs before 

 the Camassias. Plant in the autumn, and if there is a meadow or orchard 

 garden the Camassias are pretty there. 



Chionodoxa. Charming plants bearing many-flowered bloom-spikes 

 of deep blue in early spring. C. sardensis, deep blue, is the most striking 

 in colour, but C. Lucilice, which bears larger flowers of a lighter tint, is 

 still more largely grown. C. Alleni and C. grandiflora are improved 

 forms of the latter. The popular name for the Chionodoxa is Glory of 

 the Snow. C. Lucilice, in particular, is a delightful bulb, quite easily 

 grown, and may be scattered about the rock-garden, in the border, and 



