BULBOUS PLANTS 271 



fused with the Poe/oz varieties, which are hybrids between N. poelicus 

 and N. Tazelta; these are not very hardy. A third class are the Jon- 

 quils, N. jonquilla. Many persons call any single Narcissus a 

 Jonquil; this is a mistake. Jonquils have very slender leaves; the 

 flowers are either single or double, very sweet scented and pro- 

 duced in clusters of from three to six. They are hardy in the 

 North with protection. 



OXALIS. Some of the best kinds are O. cernua, yellow; 0. 

 Bowiei and O. hirta, pink, and O. versicolor, white. O. ruhricaulis 

 is desirable not so much for the flowers as for the highly colored red 

 stems. O. Bowiei and O. versicolor are well suited for baskets, for 

 hanging in conservatories. The last named requires very little heat. 



Culture. The main batch of Oxalis for Winter flowering should 

 be potted up by the middle of October. Put a single bulb in each 

 pot, using 3-inch pots to start with, and shifting on the plants as 

 they need it until they are in 5- or 6-inch pots, in which they bloom. 

 When several bulbs are potted together in a large pot, at first they 

 are certain to produce foliage in abundance and but few flowers. 

 By the middle of June the bulbs will be dried off; this is accomplished 

 by withholding water and turning the pots on their sides. Be careful 

 to place them so that the soil is exposed to view, as mice are ex- 

 ceedingly fond of the bulbs. All of the kinds grown for their flowers 

 in Winter are very prolific in the production of new bulbs, that is, 

 if sufficient root room has been given for their perfect development 

 during the growing period. Home grown bulbs are very superior 

 to those imported. 



POLIANTHES (Tuberose). P. tuber osa is grown largely for 

 supplying white flowers during Summer and Fall months. The tall 

 double form is grown mostly by florists. They may be put in the 

 ground after danger from frost is past, and at later intervals to give 

 a succession of flowers. The finest bulbs are supplied so cheaply 

 by American growers, that it does not pay to propagate in small 

 quantities. 



RANUNCULUS (Persian and Turban Buttercups). With- 

 in recent years the Persian Buttercup, Ranunculus asiaticus and its 

 variety africanus, the Turban Ranunculus, have come into promi- 

 nence. The flowers resemble a Buttercup, but they are over 2 inches 

 in diameter and extremely double. Varieties of all colors but 

 clear blue are on the market. The roots resemble small Dahlia 

 tubers. These Rananculi are not hardy. At present the most popu- 



