36 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Last of all I have given much attention to them myself, and 

 but for the War more of my work would have been seen at Vincent 

 Square. ' Rosemary,' which is one of the few that have appeared, 

 has received an Award of Merit. The varieties may be grouped as 

 those which have a red edge to their bells and those which 

 have not. ' Greenland ' has a more or less greenish look ; and 

 ' Burmah ' has a more yellow look, and a very pronounced red top 

 to its spike of flowers. ' Pekin ' is a glorious yellow. ' Ostend,' 

 ' Dublin,' and 1 Lyons ' show various forms and colours of edged 

 flowers. Thus it will be seen that greater diversity of colour is slowly 

 being evolved in the different members of the family. L. glancina 

 is one of the sweet-scented species which are still to be had from 

 dealers. Its general appearance — no stalks to the bells, which are 

 hardly coloured at all — is similar to that of orchioides and also 

 pallida, which are likewise sweet-scented. Their perfume is like 

 that of Lily-of-the- valley or yellow Genista. They are worth • grow- 

 ing for this reason alone. Unfortunately they do not seem to cross 

 with tricolor and quadricolor varieties, for if only scent could be 

 introduced into such kinds as Nelsonii and 1 Rosemary,' the public 

 verdict on the race would be quickly changed. Besides the species 

 already named, L. racemosa (white) and L. pendula are also to be 

 found in our gardens. This last one is most distinct, being a pleasing 

 shade of a bright brick-red, and is quite unlike any of the tricolor 

 or quadricolor hybrids ; moreover, as it blooms about Christmas 

 when potted in August, it is a variety that should not be omitted 

 by anyone who grows a collection of these useful Cape bulbs. 



Cultivation. — What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. 

 The general principles which should guide us in the management 

 of Lachenalias are the same as those which have been laid down 

 for Freesias. Early potting in rich, light, porous soil, on or about 

 August 12, cool treatment from start to the finish of their cycle of 

 growth, a thorough ripening-off and rest before replanting again, 

 constitute the main rules for growing them. The great difference is 

 that if the plants are to be strong and sturdy they must never be 

 put in a high temperature — not so high as that which suits the 

 coloured Freesias. From 45 0 to 50 0 is what should be aimed at, 

 as one or two degrees lower or four or five higher from time to time 

 will be quite all right. They must have plenty of air, but cold 

 currents of air playing on the leaves are fatal. 



To look their best, all varieties of Lachenalias should be planted 

 in shallow pots or round pans, which can now-a-days be bought 

 from any seedsman. Their use makes an enormous difference to 

 the tout ensemble of well-grown plants. Some growers use wire 

 baskets lined with moss and with the interior filled with soil into 

 which all round the sides and on the top Lachenalia bulbs are placed. 

 \\ ith care in watering, grand, irregular balls of flower and foliage 

 may be had, which are then very useful for suspending in a cool 

 conservatory or in a glass winter garden, where frost is excluded. 



