COLD GREENHOUSE. 129 



in the greenhouse at once. Give only enough water to 

 prevent the soil getting too dry until growth begins ; then 

 supply it freely. In autumn give less water, just enough 

 to prevent the leaves shrivelling. Liquid manure may be 

 applied during the summer. Bepot every three or four 

 years, and topdress other years. Increased by offsets. 



Fritillaria. The Fritillarias are very interesting, curi- 

 ous, and pretty plants, flowering in spring and early sum- 

 mer. Their graceful habit of growth and their quaint 

 drooping flowers render them of special interest either in 

 the garden or the cool house. All the species described 

 in the list of hardly bulbs are suitable for pot and pan cul- 

 ture. The dwarf species do best in pans; the others in 

 pots. 



The compost for all the species should consist of two 

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

 addition of plenty of coarse silver sand. The bulbs should 

 be planted five or six in a 5in. or a 6in. pot, according to 

 their size, or an inch or so apart in pans Gin. to 12in. 

 wide and 4in. to Gin. deep. Plant them two inches deep 

 any time in September. Place in a cold frame, and give 

 no water till growth begins. At this stage remove to the 

 greenhouse, and water freely as growth proceeds. After 

 flowering return to the cold frame, and when the foliage 

 dies keep dry. Repot every two or three years. The 

 Crown Imperial Lily (F. imperialis) also does well in pots. 

 Plant one bulb in a Gin. pot, or three in an Sin. pot, and 

 keep in cold frame till growth is well advanced ; then place 

 in the greenhouse. After flowering, return to the frame, 

 and keep moist till the foliage dies. It will only be need- 

 ful to repot every third year, top-dressing in the interven- 

 ing years. Increased by offsets. 



Galanthus. Snowdrops make dainty little plants for 

 cold-house culture, on account of their producing their 

 flowers ear^ in the year. All the species named in the 

 list of hardy bulbs do well in pots or pans. 



