52 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 



purple or white. For general cultivation they are worth- 

 less, the beauty of the flowers not being worth the care 

 and attention it costs to produce them. 



CAMASSIA. 



A small genus of hardy bulbs common in some of 

 the Western States, and closely allied to Scilla, or Squill. 

 They are entirely hardy, and can be rapidly increased by 

 division, or from seed. 



C. esculenta. — The more common species some- 

 what resembles the common blue hyacinth, but is much 

 larger. The leaves are about a foot long, very narrow, 

 and grooved through the center. The flower-stalks 

 grow from one to two feet high, and bear large, showy 

 purple flowers. The roots of this species were largely 

 employed as food by the Indians, the various tribes visit- 

 ing the plains for the purpose of collecting them, imme- 

 diately after the plant had flowered. The Indian name 

 for the species is Quamash. It is well worth cultivating. 

 The only Eastern species is C. Fraseri, or "Wild Hyacinth, 

 which is not cultivated. 



CAMs T A. 

 Indian Shot. 



Although the Canna is not a bulb, it is always asso- 

 ciated with bulbs. It would seem out of place anywhere 

 else, and a list of bulbs would appear incomplete without 

 it, as would any collection of ornamental plants. But 

 few plants are better known than the Cannas, and few 

 less appreciated. Because of the free-growing habit, 

 thriving under almost any circumstances, they are gen- 

 erally grown without care and in a manner that does not, 

 in any degree, develop their beauty or usefulness. To 

 have Cannas in perfection, the soil must be worked deep 

 and made very rich. They are gross feeders, and enjoy 

 moisture in proportion. Although a swamp plant, it 



