ON HARDY BULBS AND TUBERS. 



321 



they delight in, though they will thrive in almost any 

 ordinary flower-border. 



Of the autumn kinds the best and most distinct are 

 C. speciosum (Fig. 197), rosy-purple; C. Parkinsoni, violet-purple, 

 elegantly chequered ; C. byzantinum, rose-pink ; and C. autum- 

 nale album plenum, with its large, showy, double white flowers. 

 C. montanum has already been alluded to as the best of the spring- 

 flowering kinds, but C. crociflorum might be named as a fitting 

 companion. The former varies from pink to whitish, and the 

 latter is white, with delicate violet-purple lines. Then there is 

 C. luteum, yellow. 



Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) needs no recom- 

 mendation or description. A warm, partially-shaded border, and 

 some good turfy loam, are what the 

 crowns delight in, with plenty of 

 moisture in the growing season, aided 

 by weak manure-water occasionally. 

 Drought is to be guarded against, and 

 this may best be done by mulching 

 the crowns at planting time with 

 thoroughly rotten manure. Autumn 

 is the best time to plant, and little 

 else will be needed except to see 

 that the crowns do not become too 

 crowded, or weakly flower-spikes will 

 be sure to result. In large gardens, 

 where a good supply of the flowers is 

 required, the crowns may be inserted 

 in different positions, some in north, 

 others in south borders. Besides the 

 ordinary variety there is a splendid 

 form in Fortin's (Fig. 198), while 

 there is another having striped foliage, 

 but this is its only recommendation. 

 It cannot be too widely known that 

 Lilies of the Valley flower only on 

 three-year-old crowns. There is no 

 necessity to refer to the value of the 

 Lily of the Valley as a pot-plant. 



Crinum. — Several species belonging to this genus are hardy 

 in a sandy, well-drained soil and a warm position. The bulbs 

 must, however, be deeply planted, ift. being none too much. 

 The middle of May is the best' time for this. The after-attention 

 consists in affording plenty of moisture, and in giving some weak 

 manure-water when the spikes are pushing. C. capense (properly 

 longifolium) and its varieties are the best for outside culture; 

 but C. Powelli alba (white) and C. Moorei, with handsome 



Fig. 198. — Fortin's Lily 

 of the Valley. 



