2}2 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



plants. They can bo had in flower throughout the first three or four months in the 

 year without resorting to hard forcing. The flowers are distinctly beautiful, whether 

 on the plants or in a cut state. Amateurs are particularly advised to pay more attention 

 to this pleasing class of plants, as they lend themselves readily to their methods of culture. 

 The only conveniences required are a frame, or frames, and a greenhouse from which frost 

 is excluded. The species principally grown is F. refracta, from the Cape of Good Hope. 

 This produces strong branching spikes of tubular flowers, white, with orange throat. 

 F. r. alba is a charming pure white form, while F. Leichtlini, though classed as a distinct 



close frame, keep the soil moist, and shade heavily till the seedlings appear, afterwards 

 gradually exposing them to the light and air. Thin out the seedlings to about six in 

 each pot. They must not be exposed to strong currents of cold air, nor on the other 

 hand unduly coddled. The best places for them during the winter are the light 

 shelves, particularly those suspended near the glass, in greenhouses, where, if they are 

 well attended to, some of the strongest will flower in March. After the flowering 

 period, gradually withhold water from the plants, and when the tops die down store, 

 without disturbing the bulbs, in a cool dry place. In August give a portion or all of the 



species, only differs slightly from F. re- 

 fracta, but F. L. major (Fig. 139) is highly 

 worthy of cultivation. 



Copyright S. * S.] 



Fig. 139. Freesia Leichtlinii Major (Sutton's). 



Freesias are easily increased by sowing 

 seed in August, or as soon as ripe ; or it 

 may be sown in March, but in this case 

 few of the plants will flower the following 

 winter. Seedlings cannot be transplanted, 

 and the seed ought, therefore, to be sown in 

 pots or pans in which the plants and bulbs 

 can remain undisturbed for two seasons. 

 The pots usually employed are 4 1 -inch and 

 5-inch sizes. Drain these well, and fill 

 moderately firm with a mixture of equal 

 parts of light loam and leaf soil, with a 

 little decayed manure and plenty of sand. 

 Sow thinly and cover with one-eighth inch 

 of fine soil. Arrange the pots in a cool, 



