ON THE WATSONIA 



In dividing the bulbs of the hybrid seedlings, 

 it is observed that some spread out naturally into 

 bulbs of even size, and are easily pulled apart, like 

 gladioli, thus being multiplied with facility. Others 

 grow together in clusters that must be wrenched 

 apart, breaking the bulb seriously, or else cut with 

 a knife. All these matters are taken into consid- 

 eration in the selection through which the few are 

 singled out for preservation and the many are 

 destroyed. 



It is my custom, having selected a certain num- 

 ber for preservation, to cut away nine-tenths of 

 the seed pods in order to strengthen the bulb, thus 

 stimulating the fullest development. 

 The Care of Seedlings 



As the Watsonia is not generally known, it may 

 be worth while to give a few specific directions as 

 to the raising of seedlings of this interesting plant. 



In general it should be said that, where the 

 climate is suitable, the Watsonia may be raised 

 as easily from the seed as the gladiolus, and the 

 treatment required is altogether similar. My 

 method is to plant the seed in shallow, well drained 

 boxes of sandy soil, as soon as they are ripe in the 

 fall. By March we have, in each box eighteen 

 inches square, perhaps a thousand Watsonias 

 about six inches in height. They thrive very well 

 when planted as thickly as this in the boxes. 



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