BULBOUS PLANTS 277 



dead, in supplying nutriment to the young bulb until it sends out 

 roots. When this little root like process is of no further use it 

 gradually shrivels up. Afterward the young bulbs grow apace and 

 rob the soil of the nourishment intended for the parent bulb. This 

 provision evidently shows that the Vallota naturally grows deep in 

 the soil and is intended to raise the bulblets near to the surface 

 before taking root. These bulblets, unless intended for increasing 

 the stock, shoidd be removed as soon as they make their appearance 

 above the soil. 



ZANTEDESCHIA (Richardia. Calla Lily). These showy 

 plants are grown for their pure white or yellow flowers and fresh 

 green or marked foliage. Z. athiopica is the commonest white 

 species, useful for a pot plant and commercial cut flowers. Z. 

 EllioUiana is a yellow species with long white, translucent spots 

 scattered over the leaves. 



Culture. Plants when not in bloom should have the water 

 gradually withheld from them, and as the foliage dies down turn 

 the pots on their sides and leave them in this position until the 

 time arrives for starting into growth in Autumn. The pots should 

 not be put in a place where the sun will have full play on them. For 

 increasing the stock of the j'ellow varieties they should be grown all 

 Summer; plant them outside in rich, well drained situations where 

 they can be watered abundantly when occasion requires it. All of 

 them are easily raised from seeds. In Winter they need a minimum 

 temperature of 60 degrees. By the middle of September the largest 

 sizes of Z. cBthiopica should be in 6- and 7-inch pots and placed in 

 an open frame. Have the sash handy so that they may be protected 

 during wet weather. With a good watering at first they won't need 

 much moisture till good roots are formed. At least one-third of 

 rotted cow manure should be in the soil. 



ZEPHYRANTHES (Fairy Lily). Most of the species of this 

 charming genus are hardy at Washington and possibly much farther 

 north, when they get protection. They should have a position 

 which is fairly well sheltered and given a Winter covering of leaves. 

 There are about a dozen species. Z. Candida flowers in Autumn. 

 Z. Atamasco is most largely grown and bears white flowers and 

 blooms in Summer. Z. carinata bears rose colored blooms in Sum- 

 mer. 



Propagation. They usually ripen a considerable quantity 

 of seeds and may be propagated in this way, but it is cheaper to 

 get the bulbs from dealers. 



