DISEASES AND INSECTS. 53 



opaque substance, just large enough to fit over the shoot 

 of the bulb, and about eight inches long. Fit this over the 

 bulb, and it will cause the leaves and flower-stalks to grow 

 out of it to reach the light. As soon as both are sufficiently 

 long, the case may be removed. 



TARDY FLOWERING. 



This often occurs from want of sufficient light or heat. 

 In the former case, the leaves and flower-stem become drawn 

 and white, and the flowers are pale : in the latter, the plant 

 is somewhat stunted ; and the flowers die without expanding, 

 or are destitute of color. If the flower-stem is gone, the 

 only treatment is to grow the plant well, that the foliage 

 may mature a good bulb for another year, by giving plenty 

 of light and heat. If, however, the flower-buds have not 

 withered, the buds will, by removing the plant to a warm, 

 sunny situation, gain color, and give good bloom. 



It is worthy of remark, that neither premature nor tardy 

 flowering occurs in open-air culture, but only attack house- 

 grown bulbs. The inference is obvious that they are 

 caused by our treatment not supplying some requisite of 

 growth which Nature affords. 



