630 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



be 



dividing 



stagnation. The best time to pot the plants is in the early 

 spring, when they are in a dormant condition. Afterwards they 

 should be thoroughly watered and kept in a fairly moist condition 

 until active growth sets in, when they require an abundance of 

 water at the roots, and a somewhat moist atmosphere is beneficial 

 though not absolutely necessary. As autumn approaches, with 

 cooler and duller conditions outside, the moisture should be 

 diminished accordingly, and the compost should be kept in a 

 friable condition throughout the resting period. A fairly light 

 position is beneficial at all seasons, as this enables the pitchers 

 to properly develop, brings out prominently the various natural 



tints, and thoroughly 

 ripens the growths. 



Sarracenias may 

 increased by 

 the numerous crowns 

 which are produced near 

 the surface. These 

 should be taken off in 

 the early spring at the 

 time of repotting, using 

 the same compost as 

 recommended above. 



Among the best 

 species are 6". Drum- 

 viondi^ which is shown 

 with the flower in 

 Fig. 405 ; the pitchers 

 are green and purple, 

 mottled with white. 

 S. D. alba has more 

 white than the typical 

 form, and the pitchers 

 are generally not so 

 robust. S. flava has 

 large open green 

 pitchers, with deep 

 purple veinings. The 

 variety atrosaiigiiinea 

 has greenish-white and 

 purple tessellation, as 

 seen in Fig. 406. 

 S. purpurea is a hardy subject, and is a most distinct and 

 desirable species. S. psittaciiia is very scarce ; but it is distinct 

 and good, and one of the most useful for hybridisation. 



Among the hybrids 6". formosa (shown on the right of Fig. 407) 

 is derived from the intercrossing of S. variolaris and S. psittacina^ 

 and the marked characteristics of the latter species are seen in 



Fig. 



406. — Sarracenia flava 

 atrosanguinea. 



