HARDY BULBS AND TUBERS. 
259 
mulch around each giant with decayed tree leaves, and when 
growth begins actively in spring top-dress with rotten manure 
and leaf-mould. In the event of frosty weather occurring after 
growth has begun protect the young shoots with dry bracken 
or litter. The plants often fail to flower till three or more 
years after planting. The best known species are : E. robustus, 
flowers pink, borne on cylindrical spikes 3 to 4ft. long in 
May and June. The total length of stem and spike averages 
8 to 10ft. The leaves, too, are very large and handsome. E. 
elwesianus is a vigorous variety of the latter with enormous 
spikes of pink flowers. E. Bungei has citron-yellow flowers 
borne in June and July; height 2 to 3ft. E. himalaicus is a 
white-flowered species with stems 6 to 8ft. high, one-third of 
which is occupied by the flower spike. A very hardy species. 
E. Olgae has a flower spike 8ft. high, 5ft. of which is occupied 
by the flower spike. The colour of the flowers is white, tinted 
red. E. spectabilis grows 2 to 4ft. high, and bears small light 
yellow flowers in summer. E. Warai, orange, red, and bronze, 
grows 6ft. high, and flowers in June. Eremuri may be raised 
from seed sown in sandy loam and leaf-mould in gentle heat 
in spring, the seedlings being carefully transplanted into small 
pots, and finally placed in cold frames for a couple of years 
before finally planting out. 
Erythronium (Dog’s Tooth Violet). — An interesting 
genus of bulbous plants, belonging to the Lily family (Lili- 
aceae). They all flower in early spring and are specially 
adapted for naturalising by the side of woodland walks, in turf 
under the shade of trees, or growing in groups on partially 
shady rockeries or margins of borders. They have prettily 
marbled leaves and graceful lily-like flowers. Few hardy 
plants are more interesting than the Dog’s Tooth Violet. 
They are not particular as to soil, but very heavy clays are 
apt to cause the corms to perish in winter. The corms should 
be planted about 2in. deep and 3m. apart in August. A top- 
dressing of well-rotted manure and leaf-mould in autumn will 
be most beneficial. Once planted disturb the roots as little 
as possible. The most showy and desirable kinds to grow 
are E. Dens-canis, a European species, with rose or violet- 
purple flowers, and its varieties, album (white) and rosea 
(rose). This is the kind most commonly grown. Other 
species, natives of N. America, and exceedingly pretty, are : 
E. grandiflorum robustum, golden-yellow ; E. giganteum, 
creamy-white and orange ; E. Hartwegi, yellow ; E. Hender- 
soni, light purple, yellow ring ; E. Howelli, pale yellow and 
orange; E. Johnsoni, pink and yellow; and E. montanum, 
white with yellow centre. 
