146 



THE BULB HOUSE. 



sliy flowerer. The Bulb house, or even common greenhouse, is a much 

 better temperature for it, and even in a cold pit protected from frosts 

 during winter, they have flowered in full perfection. During the season of 

 rest, this genus, of which there are as yet only two species, are better taken 

 out of the pots and kept in paper bags until the season of planting arrives. 

 Contrary to the generality of bulbous-rooted plants, this genus succeeds 

 better in a strong, rich soil, than in one so light as suits the majority of 

 other bulbs. They increase readily by offsets, and will flower in a warm 

 border in the open air, 



GLORIOSA SUPERBA, 



This superb plant is not so frequently seen in flower in our plant houses 

 as we could wish to see it, and this is entirely omng to the circumstance 

 of cultivators paying too little attention to the principles of vegetable Ufe. 

 Every plant has two distinct states of existence, one of quietude and re- 

 pose, and another of development and display. This is clearly illustrated 

 amongst tropical plants, but in none more so than in the various genera of 

 bulbous-rooted plants. An erroneous opinion has long very generally been 

 entertained, and we regret to say, that with many the opinion is still 

 entertained, that plants, natives of the tropics, require an undiminished 

 temperature and humidity throughout the year, and the more plants shew 

 the efl'ects of their natural habits, the more do many cultivators endeavour 

 to counteract them, by stimulating them to the utmost possible degree, 

 thus endeavouring to keep them in a state of perpetual excitement, instead 

 of allowing nature to take its due course, and give them their natural sea- 

 son of repose. For the method of culture of Gloriosa superha — See Article 

 on Culture of certain fine-flowering stove plants that require a mode of 

 treatment different from the generality of tropical plants, which wiW be 

 given under the section Stoves. 



CHLIDANTHUS. 



This genus, of which as yet there is but one species, succeeds best in a 

 soil composed of sandy loam and peat ; but not enriched by the addition 

 of any kind of manure. When the leaves have ripened, and are falling off"; 

 the bulbs should then be placed in a dry, warm situation, where they may 

 either remain in the pots, or be shaken out and kept in paper bags till 

 they show signs of vegetation, when they should be again planted. Like 



