BULBS FOR THE GREENHOUSE 47 



gardens, and though, among these, we may miss some 

 of the brilliancy of colouring and wealth of blossom that 

 is to be had among the most popular of the previous 

 section, we gain in the knowledge that all the success 

 met with in growing them is the result of our own 

 efforts and care, and year after year we watch their 

 progress with enhanced interest. 



Crinums. — Though most of the Crinums are stove 

 plants or enjoy a great amount of heat in the growing 

 season, a few such as C. mooreii, C. macowanii, C. 

 capense and its hybrids are very handsome greenhouse 

 plants bearing large umbels of white or delicately 

 tinted flowers. The plants are mostly evergreen, like 

 a plentiful supply of water in the summer, and should 

 not be dried off in winter. The root action is strong 

 and large pots are necessary. Fibrous loam, together 

 with a little peat, plenty of sand and, if at hand, a dash 

 of crushed bones will be found a suitable mixture in 

 which to grow them. The bones are of service as they 

 supply food for some years and, therefore, when the 

 biggest size of pot is used, it will not be necessary to 

 repot every year, though a good top-dressing of rich soil 

 may be applied in spring, which is also the time to repot 

 those that need it. Shade should be given while the 

 leaves are young and during the time of flowering, but 

 after this they should have full light and a reduced supply 

 of water, though they must not be dried off like many 

 other bulbs. If increase of stock is desired, offsets may 

 be pulled away from the parent bulbs when potting. 



Freesias. — The Freesia is an ever welcome flower, its 

 sweet scent and delicate flowers being always acceptable, 

 and as it may be well grown in small pots it is suitable 

 for greenhouses of any size. Many people buy in a 

 fresh stock of bulbs every year as they fail to flower the 

 home grown stock well, but it is not necessary to do so 

 when it is thoroughly understood that the failure is due 



