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THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
manently in the soil. Increased by offsets; also by seeds 
sown in heat in spring, and the bulbs grown on in the usual 
way. Seedlings flower when four years old. 
Triteleia (Spring Star-flower). — Dainty and charming 
spring-flowering bulbous plants, belonging to the Lily order 
(Liliaceae). The only species grown is T. uniflora, now classed 
by botanists La the genus Brodiaea. This comes from Buenos 
Ayres, grows 6in. high, has narrow leaves and lilac flowers 
borne singly on purplish stems in April and May. Alba is a 
white-flowered variety, and violacea, porcelain-blue, striped 
violet. These three are charming kinds to naturalise in grass, 
grow in groups on a sunny rockery, or in a border. Their 
lovely starry blossoms are seen to the best effect on bright 
sunny days. They will thrive in good ordinary soil. Plant the 
bulbs 2in. deep and 2 to 3m. apart in September or October. 
Lifting is only necessary when the bulbs fail to do well. In- 
creased by offsets ip September. 
Tritonia. — This genus includes the showy bulbous plants 
grown in gardens under the name of Montbretias. The 
species named below are natives of South Africa, and belong 
to the Iris order (Iridaceae). The slender graceful spikes of 
flowers borne by these plants are most useful for cutting, 
lasting a long time in water. T. crocata (Syn. Ixia crocata) 
grows about 2ft. high, and bears saffron or orange-coloured 
flowers in June. T. crocosmasflora (Syn. Montbretia PottSIi) 
is a hybrid, growing 2ft. or so high, and bearing branched 
spikes of brilliant orange-scarlet flowers from July onwards. 
A valuable species for yielding flowers for cutting. There are 
also numerous hybrids bearing much larger flowers. The best 
of these are : Star of the East, orange-yellow ; Prometheus, 
orange with crimson eye ; Hereward, pale orange ; George 
Davison, pale orange-yellow ; Lord Nelson, orange-scarlet and 
crimson ; King Edmund, golden-yellow. Blooms average 3 
to 4m. across. T. Pottsi'i (Syn. Montbretia Pottsii) is 
a beautiful species, with brilliant vermilion scarlet flowers. 
We have no hesitation in describing the foregoing as 
the most beautiful of all hardy bulbous plants. They 
should be grown in every garden. In sandy or loamy 
soils that do not get too damp and cold in winter 
these bulbs will grow into fine bold clumps. They do not 
thrive in heavy clay soils. In this case make up a special 
bed for them. Take out 2ft. of clay and put in a mixture of 
light loam and leaf-mould and a little manure. In ordinary 
light or loamy soils merely dig in plenty of leaf-mould and 
decayed cow manure. A sunny position is essential. The 
planting may be done in November or April. In mild districts 
