50 PIGTORIAL PRACTICAL BULB GBOWIXG. 



Cbapter xm*— Jlrum £ilks. 



Popularly known by many quite permissible names, such as 

 Lily of the N'ile and Calla or Eicbardia Aethiopica, Eichardia 

 Africana is a universal favourite. Its superb white flowers are 

 regarded as indispensable in many forms of floral decorations. 

 It is hardier than people appear to imagine, succeeding out of 

 doors in all except the coldest districts if planted in water. It 

 is, however, as a greenhouse plant that the Arum Lily shines. 

 Provide a sound loam, give pure water and liquid manure generously 

 when the plants are approaching the flowering stage, plant them 

 out in well manured ground in summer, watering freely in hot, 

 dry weather, and no difficulty should be experienced in getting 

 an abundance of blooms over a period varying with the conveniences 

 for hastening or retarding the plants. The variety Little Gem 

 is not usually regarded as quite so free flow^ering as the type, 

 but it is very beautiful, and no efi'ort should be spared to induce 

 it to succeed. The yellows, EUiottiana and Pentlandi, are also 

 popular. Propagation may be readily eff'ected by division either 

 before or after planting, giving preference to the latter. The pot 

 plants which are planted out in summer should be lifted in early 

 autumn. The true Arums are much more curious than beautiful ; 

 they grow well in any good soil, and prefer an open, ^ sunny 

 position, where some protection can be afforded in winter in cold 

 districts. Italicum, Dracunculus, and Palestinum are three of 

 the best. 



Cbapter XIV — Babianas. 



The old saying " Good things are usually done up in small parcels " 

 is eminently applicable to the beautiful little Babianas, for these 

 fairy-like flowers are freciuently passed over for others that have little 

 else except size to recommend them. Seldom exceeding 9 inches in 

 height, even under the most favourable conditions, Babianas must 

 be regarded as jewels requiring a careful setting. Nature has herself 

 been kind to these gems among Gape bulbs, and has provided them 

 with plaited, hairy, deep green leaves, against which the bright hued 

 flowers show up well. 



In the northern parts of the kingdom Babianas are usually w^asted 

 if planted out of doors, but in the *'suni;y south" the garden may be 



il 



