258 On raisi7ig Seeds from Swan River. 



formed a blaze, in shades of orange, copper colour, and pink. 

 After the blooms were past, I continued watering the pots, to 

 perfect the foliage, and form the bulbs for the ensuing season ; 

 and by replacing them in the frame, and giving them full expo- 

 sure to the sun until the leaves gradually died away, the bulbs 

 became thoroughly ripened. After a period of drought and rest, 

 they were ready for repotting the following October. 



For the last two years I have not had opportunity to continue 

 my accustomed method of culture, and last autumn my Cape 

 Iridacese were placed in a cold-frame, from which the frost was 

 just excluded during the winter, and the pots plunged in sand : 

 they look badly, and will not flower, which I attribute partly to 

 the bulbs not being well matured, owing to the cold wet sum- 

 mer of last year, and more especially to their not receiving a 

 requisite degree of bottom heat to induce them to form roots 

 freely during the winter, which insures a vigorous growth of the 

 leaves, and the production of flowers. To attain this end, the 

 temperature of the soil in the pots must be some degrees higher 

 than that of the atmosphere which surrounds them. 



Gloucestershire, April, 184-0. 



Art. X. On raising Seeds received Jrom the Swan River Colony. 

 By J. Brewster, Gardener to Mrs. Wray, Oakfield Lodge, Chel- 

 tenham. 



The publication by Dr. Lindley of his learned and valuable 

 Sketch of' the Vegetation of the Siva7i River Colony (see p. 94.), 

 has imparted a zest to the efibrts now making by many of the 

 lovers of horticulture, to be possessed of seeds from that interest- 

 ing part of the world. A few remarks on a successful method of 

 sowing and raising these seeds might, perhaps, be of service to 

 some of your readers, especially to amateurs, many of whom 

 receive large and valuable collections, without the requisite know- 

 ledge to raise and bring them to perfection. 



On the 1st of February I prepared the pots destined to re- 

 ceive the seeds, by draining them to fully one third of their whole 

 depth. I then filled them with a compost of equal parts of 

 maiden loam and sandy peat, pressing the mould slightly with a 

 piece of flat wood, I then sowed the seeds, covering them with 

 a little of the same mould, again pressing it as before; the 

 depth of covering must be regulated according to the size of the 

 seed. I then placed them in a stove, sprinkling them with 

 water two or three times a day, taking care never to allow 

 the surface of the mould to dry. In ten days after sowing, 

 many of the seeds appeared above ground; and, by the twentieth 

 day, two thirds of the whole were growing fine plants, including 

 several species of Stylidium. 



