COLD GREENHOUSE. 139 



Colchicums, and requiring the same cultural conditions. 

 The principal species are those named in the list of hardy 

 bulbs. 



Mllla. M. biflora is a Mexican bulbous-rooted plant 

 bearing white flowers in late summer, and growing about 

 six inches high. 



The bulbs may be grown in shallow pans or in Sin. pots, 

 in a compost of two parts loam, one part leaf-mould, and 

 one part coarse silver sand. Plant the bulbs an inch deep 

 and an inch apart, in September; place in a cold frame 

 till growth begins; then remove to the greenhouse, and 

 otherwise treat as advised for irises. Increased by offsets. 



Muscari. The Muscaris are charming bulbous-rooted 

 plants, natives of Europe, Persia, etc., and bearing pretty 

 blue or white flowers in March and April. Although all 

 the species mentioned in the list of hardy bulbs elsewhere 

 may be grown in pots or pans with great success, prefer- 

 ence should certainly be given to botryoides, blue, 6in. ; 

 botryoides alba, white; and conicum (Heavenly Blue), rich 

 blue, Gin. These three will give great satisfaction, and 

 produce a brilliant effect in the greenhouse in spring. 



The bulbs of botryoides should be planted an inch apart 

 and an inch deep in 5m. pots, or in pans 4in. deep and 

 6in. to 12in. in diameter; those of Heavenly Blue an inch 

 deep and two inches apart in similar pots or pans. Two 

 parts of loam and one part of equal proportions of leaf- 

 mould, decayed cow manure, and coarse silver sand, will 

 grow these bulbs to perfection. Plant in September or 

 October, place in a cold frame under a covering of fibre 

 refuse till growth begins, then remove to the greenhouse. 

 Water freely during growth. After flowering return to a 

 sunny cold frame, gradually withhold water, and finally 

 keep dry, repotting in October and treating as before 

 advised. Increased by offsets. 



