3i6 



MY GARDEN. 



Specimens of some of the different varieties of Alliums, such as 

 Allium nutans (fig. 682), ought to have a place in every fernery. 



The Oxalidcs are numerous in species and beautiful in flower. The 



O. Acetosella, ox Shamrock, grows with me freely in shaded damp places. 



The O. rosea (fig. 683) has a great abundance of fine flowers ; these open 



in the morning, and close in the afternoon. The frost destroys the bulbs. 



" Oh the Shamrock, the green immortal Shamrock, 

 Chosen leaf Of bard and chief, 

 Old Erin's native Shamrock ! " — Moore's Irish Melodies. 



Fig. 681. — Camassia esculenta. 



Fig. 682. — Allium nutans. 



Fig. 683. — Oxalis rosea. 



The common fields in Italy are covered at Easter time with yellow 

 and red tulips growing wild. I brought from Florence many bulbs. The 

 flowers are really fine (fig. 684), and are used 

 10 decorate the Italian churches at Easter, — 



or rather, they are used in 



them on Holy Thursday, 



for the gardens of the 



Holy Sepulchre. 

 The Amaryllis, or Stern- 

 /WA%li/,/^Wi^ lergia lutea (fig. 685), or 



Lily of the Field of the 



Bible, grows freely in the 



driest places of our al- fic. ess.-uiy of the Field, 

 pineries, and may be propagated by division. In Palestine in autumn, 

 it is said to come up in large patches ; and the glossy leaves with 

 bright yellow flowers, growing in masses in the midst of an arid, 

 desolate wildernes.s, must produce a great effect on the mind. 



Fig. 684. — Tulip from Italy. 



