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THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



blush-rose flowers, may likewise be planted under the wall of 

 a stove or a greenhouse. These plants remind one of the 

 Hippeastrums as regards their flowers, which are of large size, 

 and delicately fragrant. Increased by seeds, or by offsets 

 removed from the parent plant and potted up. 



Crocosmia aurea, better known, perhaps, as Tritonia aurea, is 

 a most useful plant for a warm border and a light, rich soil. 

 The graceful flowers are Gladiolus-like in form, and are highly 

 prized for cutting. The chief value of this plant lies in the 

 season at which it flowers — autumn. In the South and West 

 of England the bulbs need not be lifted if assigned the position 

 advocated ; and even where lifting is adopted, they are best 

 potted up direct from the soil before winter frosts appear, 



replanting them in May. 

 The plants are from 2ft. 

 to 3ft. high, and several 

 bulbs should be planted 

 in a group, allowing 3in. 

 to 4in. between each. 

 Besides the type named, 

 which is orange-red, there 

 are in imperialis and 

 iiiaculata two well-marked 

 varieties worth cultivating. 



Crocus. — For utility, 

 ease of culture, or for 

 bright colours. Crocuses, 

 whether autumn- or spring- 

 flowering, are hardly to 

 be surpassed, and what- 

 ever method of planting 

 is adopted, they are sure 

 to give satisfaction. Next 

 to naturalising them, there 

 is no better way of utilising 

 Crocuses than as edgings 

 to borders. Massed, they of course look well ; but then they 

 have to be lifted, which is not best calculated fo secure good 

 results another season, unless great care is taken. They 

 dislike a heavy, damp soil, and being disturbed. .Only when 

 the bulbs show signs of deteriorating should they be lifted. 

 September or October is the time to plant the spring kinds, 

 and though the bulbs are sufficiently accommodating to flower 

 if inserted later, it is not desirable. Crocuses may be 

 grown to flower earlier by potting them up or even by 

 placing them in saucers filled with Jadoo Fibre, a substance 

 which for indoor work has much to recommend it. When 



Fig. 199.— Crocus speciosus. 



