131 
shoots, before being introduced to heat. In pruning, the best 
blooming buds may be readily distinguished from the mere 
wood buds, by their plumpness, even when in a state of dor- 
mancy. Watering, with a liberal hand, is necessary during 
their preparatory course, and syringing, occasionally, with 
tobacco water ; half a pound of shag tobacco to the gallon, 
if the Aphides appear. 
During the forcing process, a bottom heat of sixty-five de- 
grees will suffice, whilst the plants are in the opaque protector; 
when, however, the leaf begins to unfold, they must be removed 
to the glazed protector, where a bottom heat of from seventy to 
seventy-five degrees will be beneficial. Plenty of atmospheric 
moisture, liberal syringings, a free ventilation, and a freedom 
from Thrips and Aphides, are the necessary conditions. 
Second Division. 
Opaqce Protectors emploted as mere shelter from severe 
FROST. 
311 Cape Bulbs. To endeavour to describe thoroughly the cul- 
ture of the numerous species of these interesting “Lilies of the 
field” of the Cape, would lead us far too wide of the objects 
contemplated at the commencement of these papers. We must 
therefore rest content, in some cases, with merely pointing to 
the eligibility of the protectors, for at least wintering numerous 
half-hardy bulbs ; occasionally showing also, that through the 
whole year, such economical structures would, for very many 
things, supply the deficiencies arising from the absence of a 
greenhouse; the latter involving more labour, and much greater 
expense. 
It is, of course, familiar to most of the readers of the Botanic 
Garden, that the seasons are very different at the Cape from 
those of our own country ; and that a much greater amount of 
aridity, from a hot dry atmosphere, prevails during a great part 
of the year. Hence the propriety of providing some kind of 
cover for the plants of such a climate. Moreover, the wintering 
such things in cold structures, must be viewed in the light of a 
retarding process : for the latter part of our summer is the 
spring of the Cape, and many of these gorgeous ffowers are 
springing into a renewed existence, at the very period that we 
in Britain are securing a long rest for them. With those who 
possess stoves or other houses of high winter temperature, the 
306. AUCTAEIUM. 
