THE HIPPEASTRUM (AMARYLLIS). 



253 



from the stall. These ingredients should be brought together 

 towards the end of July, and allowed to remain in heap for about 

 three months, when they should be turned over and well mixed 

 together. The mixture must at no time be allowed to get too 

 wet, and when required for potting, in the early part of the 

 following year, a proportion to the whole of nearly one-third of 

 silver sand should be added. 



Potting. — The pots selected should be in proportion to the 

 size of the bulbs, and the smaller the pots that can be so used 

 the better ; in every case the drainage must be ample. Before 

 potting every vestige of old soil should be shaken off, and any 

 decaying roots, and any other decayed matter that may be found 

 about the bulbs, should be removed. The potting should be per- 

 formed according to the time the bulbs are required to be in 

 bloom, a period of eight to ten weeks being the usual interval 

 between the potting and the flowering of the bulbs. We usually 

 commence potting about the middle of January, and have bulbs 

 in flower about the middle of March, the flowering season con- 

 tinuing thence for eight to ten weeks. After potting the pots 

 should be plunged in some suitable material ; no bottom heat 

 should be applied at first, but the bulbs should be allowed to 

 start into growth as gently as possible. 



Temperature. — After potting the temperature of the house 

 should be maintained at 13° C. (55° F.) for three or four 

 weeks, then a little bottom heat should be given, and the tem- 

 perature of the house raised to 15° C. (60° F.). With this 

 temperature the house should be damped down occasionally, 

 and when the weather is warm and bright a little air should be 

 admitted at the top for a couple of hours in the middle of the 

 day. When in flower a light shading should be used to prolong 

 the flowering season. 



Watering. — This requires the most careful attention ; it is, 

 in fact, the pivot on which successful Hippeastrum culture turns. 

 More bulbs are injured or die from excess of water than from 

 any other cause, and excess of water is one of the causes of the 

 so-called Eucharis mite, one of the most destructive pests the 

 cultivator of the Hippeastrum has to contend with. At the time 

 of potting the new soil should be a little moist ; after potting no 

 water should be given for four or five weeks, or till the foliage 

 and flower-scapes have attained a height of 2 to 3 inches ; 



