120 BULBS AND THEIR CULTIVATION. 



The bulbs should be planted five in a 5in. pot and two 

 inches deep, in a compost of two parts loam and one part 

 of equal proportions of peat, leaf -mould, and silver sand, 

 in October or November. Place in a cold frame, and 

 cover with cinders or fibre refuse till growth begins, when 

 remove to the greenhouse. Commence to water when in 

 the greenhouse, and continue to do so up till the leaves 

 begin to fade; then gradually withhold it till new growth 

 begins. Repot annually in November. Increased by off- 

 sets. 



Allium. Several species of this genus do very well 

 in pots in a cold house. Those we specially recommend 

 are: Caeruleum, blue (July); and neapolitanum, white 

 (May) ; but any of the others named in the table of hardy 

 bulbs might also be grown. 



Their culture is quite simple. Plant eight to twelve 

 bulbs one inch deep in a 5in. pot, in a compost of two 

 parts sandy loam and one part leaf-mould, with plenty of 

 silver sand. Do this in October or November, then place 

 the pots in a cold frame, cover with cinder ashes or fibre 

 refuse till growth begins, when remove to the greenhouse 

 and commence to supply water. If a cool or warm house 

 be available, a few of the more forward pots of neapoli- 

 tanum may be placed therein to force earlies into flower. 

 After flowering, withhold water, and keep dry till repot- 

 ting time; then treat as before. Increased by offsets 



Alstrbmeria. One of the Chilian Herb Lilies (Als- 

 tromeria pelegrina alba), a tuberous-rooted plant, makes a 

 good cool-house subject for flowering in late spring. It 

 grows about a foot high, and bears white flowers. 



Three or more tubers may be grown in a Gin. pot in a 

 compost of equal parts loam, peat, leaf -mould, and silver 

 sand. Plant the tubers three inches deep. Place in a 

 cold frame till growth begins, then remove to the green- 

 house, and supply moderately with water. After the 



