Successful treatment of Slrumaria fllfolia. 139 



It will be noticed that this new variety possesses one most 

 excellent quality, viz. its hardiness, which enables the plants 

 to stand our severe and trying winter without danger. This 

 alone will give it a high value, independent of its superior 

 size, great product, and better quality. It must be consid- 

 ered a great acquisition. 



Art. VII. Successful treatment of Strumdria filifdlia. 

 By J. L. R. 



Being presented by a friend with a few very small bulbs of 

 this little singular amaryllis, recent from the Cape of Good 

 Hope, I was induced to institute some experiments to produce 

 its inflorescence, which was unknown tome. This was in the 

 spring of 1839. Planted in the open ground, they remained 

 without showing any signs of growth until the autumn, when, 

 just before the frost, they were carefully potted in rich mould 

 and sand, and sufiered to grow during the entire winter. Their 

 singularly delicate and grass-like foliage hung over the pots to 

 the extent of several inches, and, successively producing new 

 leaves, they seemed likely to increase in vigor and strength. 

 No other change was perceptible, until towards September of 

 1840, a spathe of deep purple color protruded rapidly from 

 one, and shortly after another and larger appeared from a sec- 

 ond. These were elevated on a peduncle of two inches 

 length, and very delicate wliite stellate flowers, six or seven 

 in number, each furnished with its stalk, expanded and remain- 

 ed so for several weeks. The flowers were each not much 

 larger than those of a chickweed, (.^Isine media;) their size, 

 the crimson anthers and delicate color, served to constitute 

 the plants, growing in a pot corresponding, quite an unique 

 object. The seeds ripened in a short time, after which the 

 bulbs were suff'ered to dry away for hybernation. 



The Strumaria) are generally small bulbous Cape plants, 

 rather objects of botanical interest than of floricultural atten- 

 tion. Pursuing similar experiments on Brunsvigm falcata, 

 and Cyrlanihus odoratus, I hope, ere long, to be as success- 

 ful. J. L. R. 



