MOK.EA — MUSCAEI. 



235 



The name Montbretia would hardly be retained but 

 for the hybrid form, Montbretia crocosmiflora, a cross 

 between M. Pottsii and Crocosmia aurea, a very showy 

 and free-flowering plant that succeeds admirably in the 

 garden, producing its long, many-flowered panicles of 

 orange- scarlet flowers from July until killed by frost. 

 While this is a desirable plant for the open garden, its 

 usefulness stops there. The flowers quickly fade if used 

 in a vase, and the buds do not open. But as a garden 

 ornament it is exceedingly valuable. While this is 

 classed with the hardy bulbs, it does not belong there ; 

 it should be taken up and kept in dry sand, free from 

 frost, during winter. * It increases rapidly from offsets. 



MOKiEA. 



This genus was formerly included with the Iris, the 

 flowers of which bear a close resemblance ; they are very 

 beautiful, but of short duration and little substance. 

 All the species are tender, but succeed well when p-own 

 in pots, in a light sandy loam. They thrive with ordi- 

 nary greenhouse culture, but the plants require frequent 

 syringing to keep them free from red spider. They 

 flower from April to July, according to species, after 

 which, when the leaves wither and dry down, they 

 should remain dry and warm until the following Febru- 

 ary, when they should be re-potted and started into 

 growth again. Viesseuxia and the Peacock Iris, M. 

 pavonia (iridoides), Page 161, are now included in this 

 genus. M. Sisyrinchium is the only species that is worth 

 the room required in the greenhouse to grow them. This 

 is a native of Spain ; the flower is very handsome, deep 

 blue, white and yellow. 



MUSCARI. 



This is a large genus of perfectly hardy bulbs, with 

 a great variety of popular names, such as Musk, Grape, 



