LILIACEiE. 



63 



thus orientalis is a well-known plant in our gardens, and 

 also in rooms, where it will flower, by being placed in 

 water and in a warm atmosphere ; this renders it particularly 

 valuable in the dull season of winter. Those who possess 

 a greenhouse may have a profusion of them, and if they 

 are managed properly as to the period of planting, there 

 may be a constant supply in full beauty for the room for 

 some weeks in January and February. These fine bulbs have 

 flowers of various hues ; as dark-red, and bright-red ; blush, 

 flesh-colour, rosy-red and pink ; blues of various shades, 

 from sky-blue to dark-blue ; and also of the purest white. 

 From a list, a choice may be made, and care must be taken 

 to have them of good sorts, and sound bulbs, or the grower 

 will meet with disappointment. The bulbs should be round 

 for growing in glasses, as they fit better, and are more 

 steady, and they should have no side-shoots, only one in the 

 centre. When they are placed in glasses, which may be 

 from November to January, for a succession, the water 

 (which ought to be soft) should only slightly touch the bot- 

 tom of the bulb, they may then be put in a dark place, 

 which forces the roots to grow instead of the leaves, and 

 ensures greater strength in the plant ; this requires about 

 three weeks. At the end of this time the water should be 



