THE IIIPPEASTLUM. 



255 



cleaning or syringing with blight composition once or twice a 

 week, and in winter, when the foliage has fallen, it can be seen 

 and removed without much trouble. 



Some cultivators of the Hippeastrum, as Mr. E. S. Holford, of 

 "Westonbirt, who possesses the finest amateur collection in this 

 country, do not repot their bulbs annually, nor do they plunge 

 them as we recommend, but give them liquid manure during 

 the growing season. The bulbs are also grown in different 

 houses, amongst other plants, and in vineries, and most success- 

 fully too, with the advantage of prolonging the season to such 

 an extent that a Hippeastrum in flower can usually be seen at 

 any time of the year. The value of the Hippeastrum as a decora- 

 tive plant can thence be scarcely underrated, for even when the 

 scape is cut and placed in water the flowers continue fresh 

 nearly as long as if left on the bulb. Some of the Dutch growers 

 treat the Hippeastrum much in the manner that we do, notably 

 Mr. de Graaff, of Leyden, whose collection is a magnificent one, 

 and to whom we are indebted for very valuable information when 

 we commenced the cultivation of this beautiful plant, and with 

 whom we are now in friendly rivalry in the raising of improved 

 forms. 



THE HIPPEASTRUM. 



By Mr. James Douglas, F.R.H.S. 



[Bead March 11, 1890.] 



This genus of plants has been well known to cultivators for 

 many years, but it may be safe to assert that not at any previous 

 period of their history have they been so popular as they are now, 

 and as flowering plants for the adornment of the greenhouse or 

 conservatory in the months of March and April they are of the 

 greatest value. Nearly the whole of the original species in 

 cultivation have been introduced from South America, and the 

 beautiful garden varieties now in cultivation have been obtained 

 by crossing and inter-crossing those species. 



It is to me a great pleasure to trace the history of this or any 

 other favourite garden-flower from the earliest period of their 

 culture in gardens to the present time, and it is of much interest 



