148 PICTOBIAL FRACTICAL BULB GROWIXG. 



Scarboroup^h Lily. — This is one of the most popular plants 

 in cultivation for ^Yindows, and some of the finest specimens are 

 to be seen in the cottages of the country. It produces brilliant 

 scarlet flowers in autumn and winter, and should be grown in 

 the best of loam, not being disturbed at the roots oftener than 

 is absolutely necessary. Deficiencies in the food supply con- 

 sequent upon being grown in the same pots for a considerable 

 period are made up for by' the use of liquid manure. Propagation 

 is easily effected by division. The botanical name is Yallota 

 purpurea. 



Solomon's Seal. — Pol^^gonatum multitiorum is a comtnon 

 plant it is true, and one that is a wildiug in many parts of the 

 country, but " common " in the sense of weediness it is not. For 

 grace and elegance it is rarely surpassed, and it has a quiet beauty 

 essentially its own. Lift some of the thick spreading root stocks 

 in autumn, and pot them in any kind of light soil ; plunge the pots 

 in ashes in a shaded spot and place over them a few inches of 

 cocoanut fibre refuse, and they will be ready when winter comes to 

 respond to gentle forcing. These are for the conservatory, but 

 others may be placed thickly in boxes to provide a beautiful addition 

 to the material available for filling the flower vases. In the open 

 aff'ord the Solomon's Seal a partly shaded place, but it is not at 

 all fussy, and grows" almost anywhere if the soil is moist. Divide 

 the roots to increase stock, and plant in October or November, or 

 else wait till March. 



Spirea japonica may be treated similarly to Dielyteas. 

 ^ Sternbergias. — At one time practically the only member of 

 this genus to be found in gardens was that named lutea, but now 

 macrantha is coming to the fore. Both are autumn flowering 

 plants, producing rich yellow blooms that are identical with 

 Crocuses in appearance. The best soil is a light, sandy loam 

 containing lime rubble, and increase may be eftected by oftsets. 

 A sunny situation should be chosen. 



Watsonias. — Plant the bulbs in a pit or frame having a 

 sunny aspect, and provide them with a mixture of sandy loam 

 and peat in the proportion of 2 parts of the former to 1 part of 

 the latter. Here they can be given all the shelter they need, and may 

 also be fully exposed, as weather permits, between the late spring 

 frosts and the earliest cold snap of autumn. Some protection in the 

 way of mats or dry Bracken will be advisable during severe frosts. 



Zephyranthes. — Only one species of Zephyr Flowers, Candida, 

 is really hardy in this country, which is regrettable, as a goodly 

 number are worthy of cultivation had we but room for them 

 in our greenhouses. It blooms in the autumn, and when once 

 established produces an abundance of charming Crocus-like flowers. 

 Spring is the time to plant it, and the bulbs should be put -1 inches 

 deep. The greenhouse Zephyranthes flower in spring, and are 

 quite contented with the conditions provided for Ixias. 



