HIPPEASTROt. 



15 



and the plants will receive a check, which they should 

 not have until their natural period for rest, which will 

 be indicated by the foliage necking or turning yellow. 



Propagation by Offsets. — There is but one way 

 to propagate any desired variety, viz., by offsets, or 

 natural division. Many kinds increase very rapidly, in 

 this manner, but great care is necessary in handling the 

 bulbs, to obtain good results. It will not do to hasten 

 matters : it is best to leave the offsets until there is a 

 natural separation ; after several offsets are formed 

 around the base of the bulb, the larger ones will begin 

 to detach themselves gradually, and by the time they are 

 nearly large enough to bloom they are but slightly held. 

 Then, even, great care must be taken in separating, in 

 order to avoid breaking the roots, which become much 

 interlaced. The operation should be performed when the 

 plants are at rest, by taking the old bulbs from the pot, 

 and separating them with as little disturbance as possible. 

 Eepot the old bulb, with such offsets as do not readily 

 part, using as small a pot as will answer, and allow a 

 little fresh soil all around the ball. Pot the offsets 

 singly, avoiding too large pots ; a four-inch pot is suffi- 

 ciently large to hold a flowering bulb. Keep about two- 

 thirds of the bulb above the level of the soil ; see that 

 the roots are spread evenly and not crowded or bruised ; 

 give them a good watering, and place them where they 

 are to remain until they flower. 



Cultivation. — The cultivation of the Hippeastrums 

 is very simple ; they prefer a strong loam, free from 

 decayed vegetable matter, and a season of rapid growth, 

 followed by a season of perfect rest, until started again. 

 In their native habitat they have a season continuously 

 wet, followed by one correspondingly dry. The heat is 

 most intense about the time the plants have completed 

 their growth and the bulbs are ripening. The evergreen 

 varieties require a rest, but must not be suffered to 



