3 14 CuUivaiio7i of the Cm-natioti cmd Picotee. 



the AmarylliAese every one should have, and, by the by, whose 

 classification of these bulbs ought to be enforced by some 

 influential body. 



Mr. Colville has in his possession two or three hundred 

 mules produced by this most interesting and delightful family. 



I fear this communication will trespass too much on the 

 space of your valuable and highly interesting miscellany ; but 

 I feel anxious to save another sixteen years' condemnation 

 to one of my genus. I am, Sir, &c. 



Jan. 19. 1828. A Blooming Bulb. 



Art. XII. On the Cultivation of the Carnation and Picotee. 

 By Mentor. 



Sir, 

 Although I am aware that the following detail of the 

 method I pursue in the cultivation of carnations and picotees 

 will be entirely useless to the generality of gardeners, yet as it 

 is founded on experience, and is supported by the authorities 

 of Maddock and Hogg, it may not perhaps be inadmissible 

 to the pages of your Magazine, or altogether uninteresting 

 to the young cultivator of these estimable flowers. Following 

 the plan of Maddock, I shall commence with the formation of 

 the compost heap necessary to the well growing of the plants, 

 in doing which, I use about the following proportion of the 

 different ingredients, viz. after breaking up my melon and 

 cucumber beds in the autumn, I take two sixths of the rotten 

 horse-dung, three sixths of fresh light loam, and one sixth sea 

 and river sand. These are put together in September or 

 October, in quantities sufficient for the purposes of the culti- 

 vator, and being well mixed, the heap is to be turned over 

 repeatedly during the winter, in order that every part may be 

 exposed to the influence of the atmosphere, by which means it 

 will be fit for use in the following spring, when the plants are 

 to be potted for bloom. The pots for this purpose may be about 

 10 in. high, the same dimensions over the top, and 7 in. wide 

 at the bottom, inside measure ; these wili contain two or three 

 plants, leaving sufficient space for laying the side shoots when 

 the proper time arrives ; but, previously to potting, the com- 

 post should be once more turned over, and passed through a 

 coarse skreen, in doing which, and in the course of potting, it is 

 necessary to be particularly attentive that no wireworm escapes, 

 as they are determined enemies to these plants. Every thing- 

 being in readiness, about the beginning of April, the plants 



