May 25, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
411 
dropped into hot water according as they are done. When enough 
are ready, place them in a stewpan with water sufficient to cover 
them, adding fresh butter at the rate of 1 oz. to the pound of 
Carrots, and salt to season. Boil the Carrots in this till half done, 
arrange them closely in jars or tins, fill with their own liquor, 
fasten or solder down, boil for half an hour, and store in a cool 
place. 
Mushrooms—“ buttons ”—can be preserved against the time 
when fresh ones cannot be had. They must be quite fresh and 
firm for the purpose, be washed, packed in boxes or jars, and 
these filled with water, to every quart of which 4 ozs. of butter, 1 oz. 
of salt, and the juice of three Lemons has been added. After being 
duly fastened or soldered down they ought to be boiled for a 
quarter of an hour. If anyone can add to or improve on the 
foregoing recipes they will confer a great favour on myself and 
various other readers of this paper.—A Market Man. 
FRITILLARIAS. 
The genus Fritillaria, though it contains many plants of little 
more than botanical interest, is on the whole a very useful one, 
and is deservedly popular with all lovers of hardy bulbous plants. 
There are, according to the “ Cenera Plantarum,” upwards of fifty 
distinct species, some of which have a considerable number of 
varieties. The genus is pretty widely distributed ; the majority of 
the species are natives of South Europe and Western Asia, a few 
are found in North-West America, while India and China are also 
represented. Only one species, F. meleagris, the common Snake’s 
Head, is a native of Britain. Naturally, in so large a genus, with 
such a wide geographical range, there is considerable diversity in 
form, habit, and colour. 
With very few exceptions Fritillarias are easily cultivated. 
Most of the species may be grown in the mixed border. The 
Crown Imperials (F. imperialis and vars.) may also be utilised for 
shrubbery borders or for naturalisation. The smaller kinds should 
have a place to themselves in a sunny border in a sheltered posi¬ 
tion. The more valuable and refractory of the smaller species 
may be planted out in cold frames. A deep sandy loam is the 
most suitable soil for all the species, and whatever position be 
assigned them they should be disturbed as little as possible, as they 
are very impatient of interference with their roots. They need 
not be lifted oftener than every three or four years, and they 
should then be replanted immediately in fresh soil. Autumn is 
the best time for this operation. The Crown Imperials should be 
planted at least 4 inches deep, as the stems throw out roots above 
the bulbs ; half this depth will be sufficient for the smaller kinds. 
Fritillarias may be grown in pots in cold frames if desired for 
the decoration of the greenhouse in spring ; but they will not bear 
forcing, and do not succeed so well in pots as in the open ground. 
The only advantage of pot culture is that the plants bloom a little 
earlier. 
Propagation is most readily eflPected by offsets, which most of 
the species produce freely if left undisturbed. These may be 
collected when the old bulbs are lifted, and should be planted in 
rows in nursery beds until they attain flowering size. Some of 
the species ripen seeds freely, and these may be sown in pans filled 
with sandy soil. They must not be shifted during the first year, 
but may afterwards be planted out. This method is not generally 
practised, however, as seedlings take from four to six years to 
reach the flowering stage. The following are some of the most 
noteworthy species :— 
F. ARMENA.— This is a dainty little plant about 6 inches in 
height, with small, campanulate, slightly drooping flowers. There 
are two forms of this species, one with soft yellow flowers, and 
the other with brownish-purple flowers. A native of Armenia ; 
introduced in 1878. Flowers in April. 
F. AUREA. —This species has bright yellow bell-shaped flowers, 
about 1 inch deep, and is a desirabte little species. It is about 
G inches in height. Introduced from Cilicia in 187G. 
F. BREViCAULis. —Another dwarf species, seldom attaining a 
height of 8 inches. The flowers, which are produced singly or in 
pairs, are of a tawny colour, and are not very large. 
F. DELPHiNENSis. —A South European species, G to 12 inches in 
height, and is useful for naturalisation. It has purple flowers, 
spotted with yellow. F. d. Burnati is a handsome variety of the 
above, with large solitary drooping flowers of a brownish-red, 
chequered with pale green. Introduced in 1879 ; flowers in March. 
F. d. Moggridgei is also a charming variety, about 1 foot in height, 
which flowers in August. It was introduced in 1880, and has 
large solitary flowers of a bright yellow spotted with brown. 
F. IMPERIALIS. —The Crown imperialis the giant of the genus, 
and is too well known to require a detailed description here. It is 
one of the very oldest of our garden plants, having been intro¬ 
duced from Persia in 159G. There are several varieties of this 
species differing principally in colour. In the variety aurea 
marginata every leaf is margined with a broad yellow band. The 
flowers of this species have unfortunately a somewhat disagreeable 
odour. 
F. LATIFOLIA. —This species is admirably adapted for naturali¬ 
sation, as it will thrive in any open situation. It is a native of the 
Caucasus, and was introduced as long ago as 1604. It is about 
1 foot in height, and the large flowers are pendulous. April and 
May is the flowering season. There are numerous varieties vary¬ 
ing in colour from yellow to black. 
F. MELEAGRIS. —This is a native species, and is the most 
useful member of the genus, as it will thrive in almost any 
FIG. 74.— FRITILLARIA TtJLIPIFOLIA. 
situation, and is also serviceable for pot cuUvre. There are in¬ 
numerable varieties of this species in various shades of colour, 
and all more or less chequered, as in the type. There is also a 
variety with double flowers, but this is still a rare plant. 
F. PALLIDIFLORA. —A Siberian species ; about 1 foot in height. 
It is very distinct ; the yellow flowers, which are beautifully 
chequered internally, being borne in terminal clusters. Intro¬ 
duced in 1880. 
F. PUDiCA. —This dwarf Californian species is one of the very 
best. It does not, however, possess a strong constitution, and 
many have failed to grow it satisfactorily for any length of time. 
It is about 8 inches in height, with an upright leafy stem and large 
golden yellow flowers. It blooms in May. 
F. RECURVA. —The showiest of the Fritillarias, but, like the 
preceding species, it is not quite so easily grown as some of the 
others. It seems to be affected by local influences, as some growers 
have entirely failed with it while others declare it to be as easily 
