C 106 ] 



VII. Directions for Managing Tigridia Pavonia, during the 

 Winter Months". In a Letter to the Secretary. By Mr. 

 John Damper Parks. 



Read December 7, 1824. 



Sir, 



M uch is yet to be learned respecting the method of treating 

 many plants, although they have been long cultivated in the 

 gardens of this country ; and it is only by the result of re- 

 peated experiments that this object can be attained. I conse- 

 quently beg leave to lay before you a plan that I have suc- 

 cessfully adopted for the management of the Tigridia Pa- 

 vonia, during the winter, which differs from the usual treat- 

 ment of that plant. 



It is customary with gardeners, in general, when the flow- 

 ering stems have been damaged by the autumnal frosts, and 

 have began to decay, to cut down the entire tops of the 

 plants, to take up the bulbs, and having cleaned and gradu- 

 ally dried them, to place them for the winter in some dry 

 situation, where they will be safe from the effects of frost. 

 But I have found that by this treatment the roots not only 

 diminish in size, but the stock is reduced in quantity, for 

 they are apt to become mouldy at the base of the bulb, and 

 then to rot. 



Having experienced in the year 1821, particularly, the 

 ill effects of the usual mode of treatment, I resolved, 

 for experiment sake, to preserve a part of the mould 

 round the roots of the plants when first taken up in the 



