136 PICTORIAL PR AC TIG AL BULB GROWING, 



into flower they must be potted as quickly as possible. Rich, 

 sandy loam forms an ideal material in which to place the bulbs, 

 but if the loam be heavy it may be lightened by the addition 

 of some leaf soil, while if it be poor add some thoroughly decom- 

 posed cow manure. Into 4-, 6-, 8-inch pots put one, two, or three 

 bulbs respectively, remembering always that Serines do not like 

 to be over-potted. In this connection it may be added that the 

 larger pots are the best to use, as^ they permit the bulbs to 

 remain longer undisturbed. Give little w^ater to newly potted 

 bulbs until root and leaf grow^th are alike active. Briefly stated, 

 Nerines are greenhouse plants, needing no water when leafless, but 

 slightly warmer conditions and a fair supply of moisture while 

 growing freely. Speaking broadly, the dry season " is from 

 . Slay to August, and during that time the best place for the stock 

 of bulbs is the sunniest and airiest shelf in the greenhouse. Two 

 other points need mention : Weak liquid manure is beneficial to 

 established plants developing flower spikes, and a top-dressing 

 with some rich light soil should be given in the seasons when 

 potting is not essential. 



SeJectlo)i of yerines. 



flexuosa, pink. undulata, rosy carmine. 



Fothergillii, vermilion Several beautiful hy- 



scarlet. brids and varieties 



Sarniensis, crimson scar- have been raised in 



let. This is the recent years by Mr. 



Guernsey Lily pro- H. J. Elwes, of Coles- 



per, and corusca is a bourne, but these are 



fine orange scarlet not all yet in com- 



variety. merce. 



Chapter X£lV — OmitDoflalums. 



In Ornithogalums we have a genus which, though numerically large, 

 is not represented by a great number of species in gardens. Several 

 are better suited to the wild garden than to the borders, while at 

 least one, Arabicum, is in every respect worthy of inclusion in all 

 collections of greenhouse plants. Others again, notably nutans, 

 should be relegated to the w^oods, where they will increase and multiply 

 enormously, and create a very striking effect. For the border the 

 one that is most commonly know^n as the Star of Bethlehem — 

 umbellatum — is the best, as its w^hite flowers are alw^ays admired ; 

 it is also of considerable service for culture in pots. 



Selection of Orniiho gal urns. 



Arabicum, white, black greenhouse culture and 



ovary, very handsome, is tall growing, 



and deliciously per- lacteum, white, 



fumed ; this requires nutans, whitish green. 



