BELBGTIONS of IXIAS. 127 



Cbapter XXXVII -ixlas. 



Our southern friends have quite the best of it when Ixias, or 

 African Corn Lilies, are the subjects to be cultivated. We raay 

 all grow Ixias in pot=;, and charming plants they are for the 

 greenhouse or conservatory, but it is to Cornwall and Devon we 

 must go to see how well they can flourish out of doors when the 

 climate is suitable. In less favoured districts a sheltered position 

 and light soil may lead some reader to attempt Ixia culture, 

 and therefore a few details may prove valuable. October is a 

 good time to plant, and as these Cape bulbs are only half hardy 

 they must be put 4 inches deep. In addition to deep planting, it 

 will be necessary to give some protection, such as dry litter or 

 leaves spread over the bed to a depth of several inches. In very 

 severe weather a mat may be also used to further protect the 

 bulbs from frosts and heavy rains. In the spring all this material 

 must be removed, or the growth will be drawn and weak. 



Experience proves that the best way to ripen the bulbs is to lift 

 them as soon as they have flowered, and lay them out, with a very 

 little soil over them, where the warmth of the sun will reach 

 them. Pot culture is the more popular, however, and as the 

 treatment found successful is as nearly as possible the same as 

 advised for Freesias, it need not be again detailed. I may state 

 that, for once in a way, early planting out of doors is not 

 advisable, because should there be mild weather during the early 

 part of the winter growth will push up and fall a prey to the 

 later frosts. 



Selection of Ixias. 



Golden Drop, golden yel- speciosa (crateroides), scar- 

 low, maroon eye. let. 



Gracchus, yellow, ruby Titus, yellow, black eye. 



eye. viridiflora, green, very 



Hortense, blue and purple. distinct. 



Befulgens, yellow, brown Yulcan, rich crimson, 



eye. Wonder, rose -pink, double. 



Snowflake, white. 



CDapter XXXVlir — CacDenallas. 



The fact of the matter is that Lachenalias, or Cape Cowslips, are not 

 taken seriously by the majority of amateur growers. So good 

 tempered are these South African bulbs that they flower fairly well 

 under even somewhat indifi'erent treatment. But we hear someone 

 asks, "Why bother any further, if the plants are naturally so 



