BULBOUS PLANTS 251 



flowers are very large and showy, but the direct cross between the 

 two is not very suitable as a bedder, owing to the soft nature of the 

 segments. There are at present indications of the orchid-flowered 

 section being considerably improved in the substance of the flower 

 so that in a few years they will be more largely grown. Some of 

 the varieties are grown for the foliage alone; these are either slightly 

 variegated or with the leaves dark red. Black Beauty, raised by 

 Mr. E. M. Byrnes, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, has for 25 years 

 been by far the best of this class, and likelj' to remain so. It should 

 never be planted out in a dormant state. 



Culture. The first lot of rhizomes intended for bedding pur- 

 poses should be started during the first part of February. These 

 should be the finest kinds and those which it is desired to increase, 

 because even the smallest pieces having one dormant point, started 

 early, will make plants large enough to occupy s-inch pots by the 

 time for planting out. Leave as much of the rhizome to each point 

 as possible, as it will send out new growths from the dormant buds 

 between the scales. In the formation of the rhizomes scales are first 

 formed entirely encircling the rhizome, which, as it reaches the light, 

 gradually elongate until true leaves are formed. The main crop 

 may be gone over during the first half of March. Cut up the 

 rhizomes into pieces small enough, so that when the time comes for 

 potting, each piece will fill a s-inch pot. Before potting they should 

 be put in material which will encourage the formation of roots, and 

 the best for this purpose is sphagnum, sand and rotted cow manure 

 in equal parts. When the rhizomes are potted without roots they 

 always turn out unsatisfactory. Some start immediately but the 

 majority remain dormant, and take up valuable space for too long 

 a time. Use boxes to start the rhizomes; place a couple of inches 

 of the material in the bottom, put the pieces on this and cover with 

 at least i inch of the rooting medium. Water only sparingly at 

 first; as the growths push up, give full exposure to the light. 



Storing. Cannas should be lifted from their Summer quarters 

 just as soon as the foliage is blackened by the first frosts. Before 

 this occurs they should be gone over and labeled correctly, noting 

 the color, size and comparative value of seedlings. Use hanging 

 labels, tying them on firmly as near the ground as possible. Cut off 

 the flowering stem about 6 inches from the ground. If there be 

 greenhouse accommodation, a position under the benches, where 

 they won't get much drip, will suit them exactly. If greenhouse 

 accommodation is not available they should be closely packed 



