246 PLANT CULTURE 



ing, leaf growth should be encouraged as much as possible, as upon 

 this the next season's flowers will depend. Plant the bulbs in the 

 frame 8 inches apart each way; the soil best suited to them is a sandy 

 one, made very rich with manure that has long laid in the compost 

 heap, so there is no heat or fermentation in it. Nothing further 

 need be done, as the frame will not be covered until the flowering is 

 over. Rapid growth immediately follows the flowering, and should 

 there be an appearance of frost before the leaves die down, the sash 

 should be put on, the same as over a hotbed, removing when the 

 weather will permit. Upon the approach of Winter fill the frame, 

 which should be about 6 inches above the soil, with leaves, put on 

 the sash and let them remain undisturbed until Spring. It is a good 

 plan to leave a slight covering of leaves over the bulbs until they 

 flower, which will keep the soil moist and cool. It does not matter 

 if all the leaves are left over the bulbs until the first of August, as 

 the frame must be wholly devoted to this bulb. Once planted the 

 bed should be allowed to remain undisturbed for several years. 

 Pot Culture. Bulbs may also be planted in 7-inch pots, in 

 which case they are treated the same as for frame culture. In the 

 Spring the plants should be allowed to gradually become dry. 



AMORPHOPHALLUS (Black Calla). Useful for sub-tropi- 

 cal bedding, owing to their very handsome leaves; those of A. 

 Rivieri, the species commonly met with in cultivation, being be- 

 tween 4 and 5 feet across. The petioles are necessarily stout and 

 beautifully marbled with creamy white. The leaves are very 

 much divided. In early Spring the flowers are produced before the 

 leaves; they have such an offensive odor that unless seeds are 

 wanted they should be cut off before developing. The large tubers 

 are wintered in a manner similar to those of the fancy-leaved 

 Caladiums. 



Propagation. Offsets of the parent tubers are taken at time 

 of potting. Seeds may be sown. 



ANEMONE (Windflower). The tuberous rooted species 

 known as A. coronaria, A. fulgens and A. hortensis are all natives of 

 Southern Europe. 



Culture. When planted permanently the soil should be open 

 and well drained, and if it is apt to bake in Spring give a top dressing 

 of leaf soil or stable manure thoroughly rotted. This will keep the 

 surface soft and enable the growths to break through easily. The 

 above species are sometimes grown in pots; they may be planted 

 in September or October, kept in a coldframe and flowered in Spring. 



