GOOD ALSTROMEllIAS. 



45 



to take the trouble. One may go so far as to excavate a bed oi" 

 border to the depth of 2 feet, putting 3 or 4 inches of crocks and 

 broken bricks in the bottom, overlaying this with turf or rough soil, 

 and filling up the rest of the space wdth a light, rich compost of 

 loam, leaf soil, and old hot bed manure, with some coarse sand. But 

 it is not often necessary to go this length, as Alstromerias do quite 

 well in a properly prepared flower border. They are likely to suffer 

 more from damp in winter than from frost. 



Selection of Alstrbmerias. 



aurantiaca, orange, spotted Pelegrina, %Yhite and pale 

 red. purple, shaded yellow 



aurea, golden yellow. and spotted purple. 



Chilensis, yellow, crimson Peruviana, purple and yel- 

 and purple. low ; of this there are 



Errembaultii, rose and several varieties. 



white, spotted crimson psittacina, crimson, tipped 

 and yellow. green and spotted purple. 



violacea, violet. 



We do not recommend Alstromerias for pot culture, except in the 

 case of Pelegrina and its variety alba, w^hich require greenhouse 

 protection. 



Chapter Xi — ilmarpllises. 



For the purposes of this chat iVmaryllises wdll only be regarded as 

 consisting of those superbly gorgeous bulbous plants that have been 

 brought into existence by the art of the florist, and are known, as 

 a class, by the titles of Amaryllis and Hippeastrum. Bulbs of named 

 varieties are somewhat expensive, but it is best to start with a few of 

 these if the grower intends to be the raiser of meritorious seedlings. 

 Fine results are to be obtained from the produce of purchased seeds, 

 but about three years will elapse ere seedlings reach a flowering size. 

 Given the necessary patience and ability, it is not diflScult to work up 

 a choice collection in the course of a few years, provided rigid 

 selection is practised as each flovN^ering season comes round. (See 

 p. 47.) 



6ow^ the seeds, as soon as they are thoroughly ripe, in well-drained 

 pots or pans, in a light mixture of loam, leaf mould, and sand. In 

 a temperature of from 60"^ to 70^ germination is rapid, and it will 

 not be long before the seedlings need more room. When they 

 have made three or four tiny leaves, put them singly into 3-inch 

 pots, in a similar compost, but of rougher texture. After they 



