4i6 



Garden and Forest. 



[Number 347. 



Fit;. 66.— Ilex Californica, n. sp.— See page 414. 



Cultural Department. 



Autumn-flowering Bulbs. 



Colchicums.— These, the Meadow Saffrons, are, by far, the 

 showiest of the class. Beginning to bloom in the middle of 

 August, they continue through September, even into October, 

 covering the ground with their bright purple flowers. They 

 are at their best when planted thickly in clumps in garden- 



beds ; in England they are often naturalized in the grass or 

 wild garden ; the low price of the bulbs would make this an 

 experiment easy to try here. The soil should be trenched and 

 plenty of well-rotted barnyard manure worked in ; a sandy loam 

 is preferable. Plant as early as possible ; the bloom the first 

 season is sometimes a failure on account of the bulbs starting 

 into flower in the packing-cases. The bulbs, which are long, 

 should be set deep, the tips nearly two inches below the sur- 

 face ; in late autumn they should be covered with a light layer 



