VALLOTA. 



23 



VALLOTA. 



Scarborough Lily. 



This genus stands quite alone in the world ; there is 

 but one species, V. purpurea, and that utterly refuses 

 to mix, or hybridize, with others of the natural order to 

 which it belongs ; it defies the florist's skill, preferring 

 to retain the beautiful form and color that was originally 

 given it. For this we are thankful. While we recognize 

 cheerfully the florist's skill, we are glad that one flower 

 is already perfect. See engraving on next page. 



The Vallota is a grand plant for pot culture. It 

 thrives under almost all circumstances, but properly 

 treated, it has no superior among autumn blooming 

 plants. The only care it wants is to be let alone, after 

 it is potted. A single bulb should not have a pot larger 

 than three-inch size, and should not be shifted to a 

 larger until the offsets and roots have completely used 

 up the soil, then shift into a pot but one size larger. 

 Do not disturb the offsets or the bulbs in any way, until 

 a plant of the desired size is wanted. When a six-inch 

 pot has been filled, and a further shift is necessary, use 

 a seed-pan, which will be plenty deep enough, as the 

 tops of the bulbs should be level with the surface of the 

 soil, and they will be much easier to handle. It is an 

 evergreen plant, but can be wintered in any light room 

 free from frost, with an occasional slight watering. 



We once grew a twelve-inch pan of this plant, and 

 had, at one time, forty-one spikes, with from five to eight 

 brilliant scarlet blooms on each. There are two varieties 

 in general cultivation ; one has a round, the other a 

 flattened bulb, the former giving a trifle larger flowers, 

 and a little white at the base of the petals. 



