THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 131 



of their foliage. Now it is our turn to be favored (?) witli a large 

 invasion. We hope the parasites will do their part in the battle, but 

 we need to do our part also if we would be sure of the victory. 



CULTURE OF THE AMARYLLIS. 



This is a showy and attractive class of bulbous plants, the typical species 

 being A. belladonna, a native of the Cape of Good Hope. The main point 

 of excellence in the culture of this plant is in secuiing a good supply of 

 healthy foliage. The reason for so many failures with plants which pro- 

 duce their flowers at a different time from leaves, is in not paying sufficient 

 attention to maturing and encouraging a good supply of healthy leaves. 

 As soon as the plants have finished flowering, they begin to make a fresh 

 growth of foliage, at which time they should be potted, using for soil good 

 turfy loam and about a third of well-rotted manure. Be sure it is well 

 decomposed, as fresh manure destroys the bulbs when coming directly in 

 contact with them. Mix the whole with a good sprinkling of sharp sand. 

 When the leaves and bulbs are well matured, gradually dry off and store 

 away in some cool, dry place until time for starting them into flower, which 

 may be done at any time desired by placing in a little heat, and supplying 

 water. 



The showiest varieties of Amaryllis can be grown by persons having no 

 other facilties than a window for growing them, and by their constant 

 yearly flowering, give as much satisfaction as any bulbous plant in culti- 

 vation. By having them make their growth during the summer months, 

 they do not require much attention except to supply water. Tliey may be 

 kept in some sheltered position out-of-doors, and wheia gi-owth is finished 

 stored away until the winter months, when they can be placed in the 

 window and water supplied. The recompense will be from two to four 

 spikes — according to size of bulb — crowded with from one to four of those 

 well-shaded flowers which have to be seen to be appreciated, 



A. johnsonii. — I class this as the finest for general culture of this genus 

 of plants. It is of the easiest culture ; the flowers are of the most gorgeous 

 colors, and produced in greater abundance and with more certainty than 

 any other kind. There are a great many varieties of the species, differing 

 in the brightness of their colors, and having white stripes in the centre of 

 the petals. 



A. ackermannii — Another fine species, is of a bright crimson color. Of 

 this species there are some most beautiful varieties, as also some hybrids, 

 between this and A. johnsonii, which are very fine. 



A.formosissima (Jacobean lily). — This is another easily grown kind 

 with scarlet flowers. 



A. atamasco is a white kind, free flowering, and easily grown by ama- 

 teurs, and those not having any greenhouse. 



— M. Milton, in Country Gentleman. 



