104 PIGTORIAL FRAG TIG AL BULB GROWING, 



6-incli pots are quite large enough, and will accommodate ten or 

 twelve bulbs. Place the bulbs 1 inch deep in a mixture of 2 parts 

 loam, 1 part each of leaf soil and dried cow manure, with some sand 

 added. Pot up the earliest batch in August, and continue the work 

 at intervals according to the supply and demand. It is common to 

 plunge the pots, but we succeed better without. If the soil is dry, 

 sufficient water to just moisten it must be given before the 

 operation of plunging is performed, but if it is moderately moist 

 scarcely any water will be needed until growth is 3 or 4 inches high. 

 At this stage a little more warmth may be given, and water will be 

 needed frequently. Preesias have a strong dislike for a high 

 temperature when growing, and any attempt to force them will end 

 in failure. Provide the flower stems with a little support, but the 

 lighter and more unobtrusive this is the better. 



The next important point to consider is that of resting. Decrease 

 the supply of water directly the flowers have faded, and when the 

 leaves turn yellow cease watering. If in your greenhouse there is 

 a shelf on which the summer sun shines with roasting force, then 

 there need be no further search for an ideal spot for Preesias. In 

 such a position they will dry and rest without any attention, and 

 will be ready for potting about August 



aui'ea, yellow {see p. 103). refracta Leich.tliiii, prim- 



refracta, white and orange. rose yellow, with, orange 



refracta alba, white ; the blotch, 

 best of the Freesias. 



CDapter XXX -fritillarias. 



Here we have a family whose charms are such as grow steadily upon 

 the cultivator, until beauty can be seen in every part of the flower. 

 To the lover of the garish they will possess no attraction whatever, 

 as theirs is a beauty that must be sought for. True, in the well- 

 known Crown Imperials, with their tiered whorls of leaves and 

 flowers, one has scarcely to look to see it, so striking is the habit of 

 the plants ; but in the majority we must perforce lift up the bloom — 

 whose form is that of the head of a snake, and has given rise to the 

 common name of Snake's Head Lily — to appreciate the charms that 

 lie vv^ithin, and which the plant is far too modest to show for itself. 



The full charm of the Snake's Head is seen when the bulbs are 

 planted in grass, among the blades of which the nodding blooms on 

 their slender, arched pedicels, swaying in the gentlest breeze that 

 blows, are indescribably delightful. Many sorts become naturalised, 

 and form clumps of considerable extent in the course of a few years. 



