THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
337 
nearly six months in the year, after their annual growth is obtained ; 
and when in bloom producing graceful panicles, or terminal clusters 
of brilliant salver-shaped blossoms, varying in colour from the richest 
•crimson and carmine, to all the intermediate shades of orange, rose, 
and red, and also blending the most delicate sea-green with olive 
centres ; yet, notwithstanding all these desirable and attractive 
features, they are almost lost, and generally neglected in plant 
•collections. When grown en masse, they present a glowing com- 
bination of the most chaste and brilliant colours to be found amongst 
flowers, and those who have not seen them cultivated in this way, 
can form but a faint conception of the splendour of vegetation at 
the Cape, where myriads of these brilliant objects decorate the 
surfaces of vast plains. So beautiful, indeed, are some of these, that 
if the inquiry was made which is the most beautiful and easily 
managed bulbous flowering plant, I should, without hesitation, 
answer Sparaxis (Ixia) grandiflora, with its rich, crimson, golden- 
yellow-eyed, salver-shaped blossoms. 
For the special growth of Ixias in borders or beds, a south-east 
aspect should be preferred, which will admit of a partial screen from 
the mid-day sun. The bottom or subsoil should be dry, and the 
upper stratum of rich sandy loam, well incorporated with one-third 
of heath, or dry vegetable mould. Where the soil is naturally heavy, 
take the soil out to the depth of two feet, leaving the bottom with 
an inclination sufficient to throw off excessive moisture, on which 
place six inches in depth of coarse brickbats, and over this add 
four inches of coarse turf siftings, or decayed branches, well pressed, 
filling up the remainder with loam. The bulbs may be planted in 
rows, or groups, at discretion, from two to three and a half inches 
deep, according to the size and vigour of the bulbs, covering them 
with about one inch of dry river sand, previous to applying the 
covering of soil. As a protection from severe frost, the border 
should be surfaced with dry decayed tan about six inches, or with 
very dry sand to the depth of three or four inches. The last named 
material will be sufficient in mild seasons, and may be removed on 
the approach of spring. When grown in pots for protection in 
frames, the most suitable compost is one-half friable yellow or hazel- 
coloured sandy loam, with the remainder in equal portions of well 
decomposed heath-soil and dry leaf-mould, adding of white or river- 
sand about one-sixth of the whole amount. The above proportions 
should be passed through a sieve together (not separately), thereby 
admitting a more uniform and open texture throughout the mass. 
The bulbs are generally grown iu stores of three to six in each pot, 
but where great interest is taken in the most beautiful kinds, two 
bulbs may be placed in a three-inch pot, or in smaller, provided 
attention be paid to shifting them into larger ones early in spring. 
Vi here an eifect, en masse, is sought, four bulbs in three-inch pots, 
and six bulbs in five-inch pots will be suitable, the smaller the pots 
the greater the importance ot shifting into larger ones as the bulbs 
advanced in growth, and vise versa. When thus prepared, the pots 
should be plunged nearly up to their rims in dry tan within the 
frame or pit, and only watered occasionally as the soil becomes 
Rovemuer. 22 
