268 THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



sooner than others. Thus we get Harrisi, from Bermuda, 

 as early as August, while most of the others men- 

 tioned, which come from Japan, do not reach here till 

 November, or later. A compost of two-thirds loam to 

 one-third leaf mould, and some sand, will suit all these 

 Lilies, which should be potted at such a depth that there 

 is i in. of soil above the bulb, while space must be 

 left at the top for copious watering and, if possible, a little 

 top-dressing. Puts 5in. and 6in. in diameter are good 

 sizes for single bulbs. When potted they should be placed 

 in a cold frame and given but little water till the shoots 

 appear above ground, when the supply of moisture must 

 be increased. They need plenty of air and protection 

 from severe frosts, while if a few at a time are taken into 

 the greenhouse a succession of bloom is thereby ensured. 

 Aphides or green-fly are very troublesome in the case 

 of some Lilies, particu arly Hanisi, and must be kept 

 down by using some of the many insecticides now in 

 vogue. 



Lyeoris aurea. — A Chinese bulb that requires to be 

 grown on freely during the winter and spring, then given 

 a period of absolute rest, and when started in early 

 autumn will push up its flower spikes. The blossoms, 

 which are borne in a cluster on a stem about 1 8 n. high, 

 are of a rich golden colour. A few plants of this are very 

 showy. 



Montbretia. — A numerous class nearly related to 

 Crocosmia, the flowers of the different varieties varying 

 from yellow to crimson. If potted about Christmas, and 

 half-a-dozen bulbs or so are put in a 6in. pot, they form a 

 pretty midsummer feature in the greenhouse. 



NarciSSUS (Dafloai/s). — Many of these are very popular, 

 and readily lend themselves to gentle forcing. The 

 easiest to force are the forms of Polyanthus Narcissi, 

 including such well-known kinds as Double Roman, 

 Taper White, Early Snowflake, Bazleman major, Grand 

 Monarque, States General, etc. Except that they should 

 be put three in a pot, or grouped in some way, these 

 Narcissi may be treated much as recommended for 

 Hyacinths. The Chinese Fairy Lily, Joss Flower, or 

 Flower of the Gods, is a Narcissus of this section, which 

 will flower in a bowl of water if a few stones are placed 

 around the bulb to hold it securely in position. 



The Daffodil section of Narcissus may be flowered in 

 pots, and very pretty they are in the greenhouse, but as 

 heat quickly injures them they are best allowed to remain 

 in a cold frame till the flower buds are showing, when 

 they may be taken into the greenhouse. As regards 

 varieties to be grown there is no lack, for practically all 

 kinds may be thus cultivated, even the white Poet's 

 Narcissus and its beautiful double forms. Especially suit- 

 able for this method of culture is Johnstoni Queen of 

 Spain, whilst all the Incomparabilis or Star Narcissi may 

 be grown thus. Burbidgei, Sir Watkin, Barri conspicuus, 

 Frank Miles, Autocrat, the noble Ilursfieldi, the large 

 bicolor Trumpet Daffodil, Bicolor, and a host of others. 

 Daffodils and the Poet's Narcissi respond so readily to pot 

 treatment that one may select almost any kind without 

 fear of failure. It is, indeed, under glass early in the 

 year that one welcomes these fresh-coloured flowers of the 

 spring. Remember that anything like forcing is unavailing ; 

 it means failure, and the finest flowers are usually obtained 

 when the pots with the bulbs in them are left plunged in 

 ashes until the middle of January, then there will be a 

 rich display in March ; but, of course, as a succession is 

 desirable one cannot lay down a hard and fast rule as to 

 when to introduce the plants into the greenhouse. The 

 earlier flowers are required so much more the heat 

 necessary, but a temperature above 45deg. must not he 

 given. Pot up the bulbs early, and give water liberally 

 when growth begins. It is to be hoped that the Daffodils 

 in their beautiful variety will be grown more for the green- 

 house than has hitherto been the case, and if there is no 

 greenhouse the bulbs may be brought on in a cold frame. 

 Potfuls are always welcome for the house. 



Nerine. — To this genus belongs the Guernsey Lily Nerine 

 sarniensis, and several other very desirable kinds. The 

 Nerines are brilliant flowers, which strange to relate have 



never gained the affections of flower gardeners. It is 

 difficult to account for the neglect of certain races of 

 plants, and undue attention bestowed upon other things 

 far less worthy of it. The Nerines are utterly unlike any 

 other class of bulbs. The flower stems appear without 

 the leaves; but the wonderful beauty of the flowers them- 

 selves, their glittering tints, and, when well grown, freedom 

 too, should surely make them popular, whilst they appear 

 in October, when few greenhouse flowers, save the 

 Chrysanthemum, are in perfection. One must not forget 

 also that the hybridist has been working to extend the 

 variety of colours, and Mr. Elwes has accomplished 

 unusual results, he having received a year or two ago no 

 less than seven awards of merit from the Royal Horticul- 

 tural Society for new hybrids. It is to be hoped that these 

 splendid kinds will come into general cultivation. There 

 are a number of well-known species and varieties, such as 

 the scarlet corusca and its variety major ; flexuosa and 

 f. major, pink ; the vermilion Fothergilli ; rosea, rose ; 

 sarniensis, carmine red; undulata, rose carmine; and the 

 little pinkish waxy-petalled crispa. N. elegans and N. 

 Manselli are two very beautiful kinds, the last-mentioned 

 in particular. Of course it is a matter of opinion as to 

 which is the finest of the Nerines, as tastes differ, but those 

 who know not this group are advised to commence first 

 with N. Fothergilli, N. sarniensis, N. corusca major, N. 

 Manselli, and N. elegans. The fact that the Nerines are 

 autumn flowering increases their value. Their culture is 

 not difficult, but care is required to flower them well. 

 Their leaves are pushed up directly after the flowers 

 are over, and growth goes on during the winter and 

 spring, when the foliage dies off. After this they must be 

 well exposed to the sun, giving no water until the middle of 

 August, in order to thoroughly ripen the bulbs. Use for 

 soil yellow loam with a little well-decayed leaf mould 

 added to it, and a fair amount of sharp silver sand. The 

 object of having a particularly fresh soil, likely to remain 

 sweet for a long time, is to remove all necessity for potiing 

 the bulbs often. Nerines must not be frequently disturbed, 

 and an abundance of flowers is produced when the bulbs are 

 packed thickly together in the pots. Give a light position 

 in the greenhouse when growth is being made, namely, in 

 winter and spring, and during the resting season a sunny 

 shelf is a good place for the pots, as the bulbs must be 

 properly ripened. A sunny frame will also suffice if the 

 pots are not exposed to rains. It is an easy matter, how- 

 ever, to give a little ventilation by tilting up the light. 



Scilla. — An extensive family, several members of which 

 require the protection of a greenhouse, while some of the 

 hardy kinds, notably S. sibirica, if treated as recommended 

 for Chionodoxa, will flower under glass in an equally 

 satisfactory manner. 



Sparaxis. — A class of bulbous plants very much resembling 

 the Ixias, but of somewhat dwarfer growth. For culture 

 see Ixia. 



Sprekelia formOSiSSima (Ja.obea Lily). — An Amaryllis- 

 - like bulb which if potted early in the year will flower 

 about June. The stem reaches a height of I ft. and the 

 flowers are of an intense deep crimson, a very striking 

 colour. 



Tritonia. — A numerous class somewhat in the way of 

 the Babianas, but instead of the purplish tints of these 

 last the Tritonias are mostly different shades of yellow 

 and red. The cultural requirements of both are the same. 



Tuberose, The {Polianthes tuberosa). — Of late years this 

 strongly-perfumed flower has been largely grown and its 

 culture better understood. Immense quantities of bulbs 

 are sent to this country from America, reaching here 

 about the end of the year. The double-flowered Pearl 

 variety is the most popular, and the first consignments 

 usually arrive from America early in December. The 

 African Tuberose comes to hand in October, but this 

 variety is not so much grown as the American, although 

 where flowers are required all the year round a few of the 

 African kind may be potted on and plunged in a genial 

 hot-bed to obtain early flowers. Very little water is 

 required until the leaves appear, as the bulbs absorb 

 sufficient moisture from the plunging material at first, but 



