BULBOUS PLANTS 265 



spreading by digging the bulbs after the leaves have matured. 

 To many people /. reticulata is the aristocrat of the genus but 

 florists do not give it the attention it deserves. It is rarely seen in 

 a flower store. Out of doors it will bloom before the snow has 

 melted; that having happened several times in recent years. It was 

 planted by the side of a wall facing south. The color of the flower 

 is that of the Violet, but darker, and the fragrance is also that of the 

 Violet. A few bulbs in a 4- or 5-inch pot make a very fine showing. 

 One of the reasons why we seldom see it is probably because the bulbs 

 remain too long in the seed stores and are pretty well dried up before 

 planting. This gorgeous Iris will not stand this treatment ; it should 

 be in the ground by the latter part of August. The species should 

 certainly be given a trial by florists. When established it keeps in 

 good condition out of doors for a long number of years. The bulbs 

 when planted in pots are' very easily forced, provided they make 

 their roots early enough. Seeds are produced more or less freely. 

 There is no doubt that it will become popular when it's culture is 

 better known. There are one or two varieties differing mainly in 

 the colors of the flowers. When well grown out of doors it usually 

 sets seeds the second season after planting. If sown as soon as ripe 

 the seedlings will bloom in about two years. (For other Irises 

 see page 193.) 



LACHENALIA (Cape Cowslip). The Lachenalias are not 

 common and should be more grown, not for cutting, as the flowers 

 are not suitable for this purpose, but for pot plants. The leaves, 

 even by themselves, are very attractive, being broad, rich green, 

 and spotted with brown. The ilowers are greenish red and yellow 

 arranged in spikes. L. tricolor var. Nelsoni, a bright yellow and 

 green flowering sort, is the commonest. Small bulbs should always 

 be saved and grown on, as they increase in size quickly under 

 cultivation. 



Culture. By the first of August Lachenalia bulbs should be 

 knocked out of the pots, the sizes sorted and the largest put, say 

 four together, in a 5-inch pot, and plunged for the time being among 

 ashes in a frame. The smaller bulbs should be potted or boxed for 

 growing on. 



Propagation. The bulbs multiply rapidly. 



LEUCOJUM (Summer Snowflake). This bulb should al- 

 ways be grown in herbaceous collections. L. cestivum grows to a 

 height of 18 inches and its remarkable appearance in flower is very 

 pleasing. It is at its best about the beginning of May. L. vernum 



