BICHARDIA. 267 



cold winds are fatal ; on the other hand, they will not 

 endure intense sunshine, so that great care is required 

 in shading and ventilating, to imitate well the cool, 

 moist climate of Europe. 



RICHARDIA. 



Calla. Egyptian or Arum Lily. Lily of the Nile. 



Calla is a popular name given this flower by Pliny. 

 It is, botanically, Richardia cethiopica (synonym 

 R. africana), and is the best representative of the 

 genus, which contains five species. They abound in the 

 Nile, and flower during the season of high water, which 

 covers the roots to the depth of several inches. After 

 the spring freshets have subsided the water falls below 

 the roots, and the tops die down, fall over and protect 

 the roots against the tropical sun. This is the period of 

 rest that nature furnishes this plant, during which time 

 the temporary bed of the river, in which they grow, is 

 as dry as dust. In this condition they remain several 

 months, or until they are again covered with water, 

 when growth is renewed. 



To grow the Calla well, these conditions must be 

 approximated. While we cannot afford them rivers to 

 grow in, we must afford them an abundance of water, a 

 moderately high temperature and a rich soil. In pot 

 culture, too large pots must not be given them ; a six- 

 inch size is sufficiently large for a plant with two or 

 three crowns, which should give several blooms each. 

 In large pots, leaf growth will be the result, rather than 

 flowers. In using small pots, liquid manure, in some 

 form, should be applied at least once a week. Another 

 disadvantage in the use of large pots is, that the flowers 

 are too large for real beauty, or for use as cut flowers. 

 The same result follows from planting them out in beds 

 in the greenhouse. 



