BOTANIC! AX 
85 
Milton, Ind., May 2, 1878. 
L. B. Case. — Dear Sir: * * * Callas cannot fail to be in nice thrifty condition, 
and bloom well, if these directions are followed: Take a 0 or 8 inch pot; place a 
piece of crock over the hole in the bottom; put in about 1A inches of fine gravel, and 
on that put about one inch of dirt; then place your Cullu in, and till around with 
gravel; let it be coarser as it fills up on the top, it ought to be as large as marbles; 
do not get it too coarse, about the middle — about such as is on the side-walks; place 
pretty large stones on top; water freely, and your Callas cannot fail to grow fast and 
have a much better color than those grown in dirt. My Callas are very nice now. 
1 recommend this to all who have them, and are growing them in dirt altogether. 
Very truly, G. M. 
Tomah, Wis., April 18, 1878. 
Mn. Case. — Sir : I will give you my experience with Biciiardia. I have a 
plant from which there has been cut (within six months) seven blossoms. There are 
two buds in sight, and two more that will be out in a short time I will give you the 
dimensions of one leaf and stock, also of bud and stock. From base of stock to end 
of leaf, 50 inches; breadth of leaf, 14 inches. From base of bud stock to end of bud, 
44 inches; will be at least 48 inches when bud opens. I have a BcgoniafSLrgyrostigma, 
which 1 bought of you, that is sending up a shoot that is now 39 inches in height and 
in circumference; it is about six weeks since it first made its appearance. I have 
also a Geranium, ( Master Christine,) that has a truss of blossoms 13 inches in circum- 
ference. Respectfully, J. T. B. 
Gentbrugge-Ghent, Belgium, June 8, 1878. 
L. B. Case, Esq., Richmond, Ind. 
Dear Sir : I think the general prospect for the autumn exportation of Lilies, and 
other bulbs and plants, will be very good this year, because the weather is very favor- 
able here and promises to give brilliant results. Many thousands of the splendid 
Lilium lancifolium album, roseum, rubrum, punctatum, etc., will give, without doubt, 
stems with 15 to 20 flowers, and perfume the air with its agreeable fragrance at a long 
distance. Lilium auratum (the King of the Lilies) is growing here also in extensive 
quantities; stems from 4 to 6 feet in height, are showing already from G to 20 flower- 
ing buds. Lilium longiflorum, from China, is growing here for the millions, and the 
very cheap prices permit it to every one and make them popular. Also, the hand- 
some Lilium candidum, , the favorite of young ladies, is largely represented. Lilium 
Szowitzianum, the finest flavored species of the genus, originally from the Caucasus, 
the fine bell-shaped, citron-yellow flowers are remarkably beautiful and fragrant, 
and cannot be too highly recommended for pot-culture; many thousands may be had 
here. Also, the other fragrant and early flowering Turk’s-cap species, L. curniolicum, 
orange passing to scarlet, and L. pomponium rubrum and luteum, and L. pyramidum. 
The Lilium tenui folium is an extremely beautiful miniature, bright scarlet; also, the 
rare scarlet Lilium callosum, miniature, from Japan. Lilium bulbiferum, thisold species 
but always rare, is native of central Europe — the flowers are erect and orange color, 
and produce numerous green bulblets in the leaf-axils; in the past year I have been 
fortunate in introducing a large stock. L. umbellatum atrosangnineum, incomparabile, 
etc., are perfectly decorative for beds and borders; six thousand are blooming here 
annually. The old and well known L. tigrinum is very floriferous and splendid for 
decorative purposes, and recommendable for pot-culture; about ten thousand are 
yearly exported at the low rate of $2.00 per 100. L. tigrinum splendens, handsome 
variety; exportations 1,000 per year. L. tigrinum Fortunei flare plena, this noble lily 
introduced from Japan, is extremely recommendable; the flowers are as double as 
possible. The gigantic and majestic L. giganteum attains here from 7 to 10 feet in 
height, bearing from 10 to 20 large, trumpet-shaped, pendulous flowers. The noble 
L. Browni produce ordinarily one or two flowers to a stem, and I am very glad to tell 
you I have many others showing three large flowers. L. Hansoni, (new species), 
introduced by Dr. Hogg from Japan, is a very good grower and quite hardy; I have 
some strong plants attaining 5 feet in height, with 10 to 20 handsome bright yellow 
flowers to a stem, freely dotted crimson, — this grand species will be a valuable acqui- 
sition. The varieties of L. Thunbergianum are almost endless and too much similar; 
I cultivate only the best and the most distinct varieties, such as: The true dwarf, L. 
Thunbergianum atrosanguineum, L. Th unbergianum atrosanguineum grand! flurum, L. Thun- 
bergianum atrosanguineum maculatum, L. Thunbergianum aurautiacum multiflnrum ( bili.gu - 
la'um), L. Thunberg. aureum nigro-maculatum, L. Tlmnberg. Prince d' Orange, and L. 
Thunherg. venustum. The beautiful American Lilies, L. pardalinum, L. Canadense 
flavum, L. superbum, L. Columbianum, L.parvum, etc., grow here admirably in leaf- 
mould and plenty of peat; they are also largely represented. The truly noble L. 
Humboldti and L. Washingtonicum grow well and flower well in shady situations. The 
conspicuous L. Pliiladelphiacum and the pretty L. Catesbeei are bad growers here, the 
