244 THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



water is often given before the root action is free. As the smaller bulbs increase in 

 size and fill the pots with roots, shift the plants into larger pots, but, as previously 

 indicated, the larger flowering bulbs are better for being in a root-bound state, so long 

 as this does not unduly weaken them. Clear soot water may be given with advantage 

 to well-established plants. The soil should be kept uniformly moist all through the 

 winter, and a temperature of 40° to 50° is ample for the plants. Thus, well treated, 

 there is little likelihood of the mite getting the upper hand. 



Varieties. 



Vallota purpurea.— The original species (Fig. 113) 



produces several large red flowers on stout scapes 



from August to October. 

 carnea. — One of the latest additions to the group, is 



of a delicato flesh colour, and a welcome addition. 

 eximia is of the same shade of colour as the type, 



but has a white throat, feathered with crimson. 



magnifica is said to be a more robust grower than 

 the preceding form, and somewhat richer in 

 colour. 



major (syn. Amaryllis purpurea) is remarkable for 

 the great size of its flowers, colour reddish scarlet. 



minor is tho smallest form of all ; cherry red in 

 colour. 



veronica. — Only a limited number of veronicas are cultivated in greenhouses. 

 The best for the purpose are Andersoni, a garden hybrid, Andersoni variegata, 

 Andersoni Madame Louise Giron, and Purple Queen. The dwarf variety, Blue 

 Gem, is extensively grown for sale in the flower markets. Shrubby species may 

 be propagated in the spring by cuttings of firm young shoots in sandy soil under a bell 

 glass, but can be depended upon to root more freely under handlights or in a cool frame 

 in the summer. Top the young plants to make them bushy, and from small pots shift 

 into 5-inch or 6-inch sizes the first season, and they may produce a few flowers in the 

 autumn. The plants should be wintered in a cool greenhouse. Prune in March, and, 

 when fresh shoots are visible, reduce the soil and roots and repot, using a mixture of 

 two parts loam to one of either peat or leaf soil, with some sand. During the early 

 part of summer transfer to larger pots, and arrange the plants on ashes in the open 

 air. Veronicas need much water when the pots are crowded with roots, and succeed 

 well if planted in good ground in the open, lifting and repotting in September. It is 

 in this way that the dwarf variety above mentioned is grown. All should be housed early 

 in September, as they ought then to be gay with flowers. 



witsenia corymbosa. — This is another of the old-fashioned greenhouse plants fast 

 going out of cultivation, because it is of slow growth. It is of an erect compact habit, 

 each shoot being furnished with a dense cluster of short iris-like leaves ; flowers blue ; 



