80 MAKING OF A FLOWER GARDEN 



considered as summer bedders, for it is the only sys- 

 tem of growth which succeeds with this rather diffi- 

 cult plant. Under expert culture it is a fine green- 

 house and conservatory plant, but is something of a 

 failure in amateur hands. If, however, a few simple 

 rudiments of culture are mastered it becomes one of 

 the most satisfactory bulbous plants grown. 



The crinum makes a very large and solid bulb with 

 a long neck, and an abundance of thick, fleshy roots. 

 When it is received from the florist most of these 

 roots are, necessarily, removed. It has had a season. 

 of rest and should be in condition at once to begiu 

 growth and the formation of buds. It should, there- 

 fore, be planted out in the open ground as soon as the 

 soil and the nights are warm. It must be planted 

 in the sunniest, hottest spot available — a position be- 

 side a south wall which will draw and retain all the 

 heat of the sun is ideal. Very rich soil — one under- 

 laid with a foot of old, decayed manure and topped 

 with a compost of fibrous loam, sharp sand, leaf mold 

 and well rotted, fine manure is best. In this the 

 bulbs should be set with the entire neck and a show- 

 ing of the top of the bulh above ground. "Water very 

 freely until the bulbs have made a complete leaf de- 

 velopment, and then withhold water entirely, allow- 

 ing the plants to dry out and bake, and bake, and 

 bake. The hotter and dryer the better. Then with 

 the appearance of the first hard rain, great, fleshy 



