140 PICTORIAL PBAGTIGAL BULB GROWING. 



The Snowflakes, or, to speak quite correctly, the Leucojums, 

 bear a close resemblance to the Snowdrops, from which, however, 

 they are perfectly distinct, being larger in all their parts, and 

 having rather less of the true Snowdrop's exquisite refinement. 

 They will be found dealt with under Leucojums. 



Selection of Snou-drops, or Galanthus. 



Elwesii, white, varies iu and double. Some of 



size. The varieties Whit- the best are imperati, 



tallii and robustus are Octobrensis, flavescens, 



- beautiful. and Melvillei. 



nivalis, the common Snow- plicatus, white. The Cri- 



drop, of which there are mean Snowdrop is very 



several forms in addition handsome. 



to the ordinary single 



This is giving only the smallest selection, and there are, of 

 course, many others of decided merit, both in species and hybrids, 

 but those named will sufiice, except in gardens where a speciality 

 is made of this family. 



Cbapter XCVill — Sparaxis, 



Once upon a time Sparaxis were quite popular, and there are signs 

 of a returning favour. Half hardy, like their allies the Txias, these 

 natives of South Africa require similar conditions to induce them 

 to flower freely. They all make exquisite pot plants, and the little 

 trouble necessary to ensure a bright display is amply repaid in 

 April and May. With these, as with Ixias, some of the older 

 gardeners prefer to wait until February before planting in the 

 open, and this plan has much to recommend it, especially in the 

 less favoured districts. Where pot culture is followed the bulbs 

 are best potted in batches from September to December. 



Selection of Sparaxis. 



Fire King, scarlet and Queen Victoria, white, 



black. yellow, and black. 



Garibaldi, crimson and tricolor, orange and black, 



maroon. . Victor Emmanuel, red and 



grandiflora, purple and yellow, 

 white. 



CDapter X£IX — Ciariaias. 



Sober truth compels us to state that while the Tiger Flowers 

 are gorgeously beautiful they are not really hardy, and though they 

 may be successfully cultivated in a cool greenhouse, or even in a 

 cool frame, in a sunny position, the lovely flowers are so evanescent 



