38 
THE TUBESOSE. 
till they begin to form roots, which are usually seen in about a 
fortnight, and in the mean time a hotbed should be prepared for 
them, or if cucumbers are being grown they may be placed to¬ 
gether ; the temperature of the bed should average 65°, and it 
will be necessary to maintain this heat pretty regularly for a 
couple of months. On their first introduction they will require 
no water, the moisture of the bed being sufficient till they have 
pushed two or three leaves, when it may be applied moderately; 
but as soon as the flower stem is seen above the apex of the bulb, 
another course must be pursued: the plant should immediately 
be repotted, placing it now in an eight-inch pot, or even a size 
larger if the stem appears strong and promising; the removal 
must be managed with some care, as they are now very tender, 
and a rude blast of wind will check them very materially. Having 
completed the shifting in a warm place, set them back in the 
frame, at the same time plunge the pots for about half their 
depth into the fermenting material: this warms the fresh soil, and 
encourages the roots to penetrate it. Their progress now will be 
very rapid, and in a few weeks the frame will require to be 
heightened as the flower stems rise, and from henceforward till 
the blossoms are expanded; a good deal of care will be necessary 
to preserve them from the attacks of the red spider, which appears 
to be particularly fond of this plant, and more than ordinarily 
destructive in its effects. To keep them down, the plants should 
be syringed at least once a day, and a moist atmosphere con¬ 
tinued about them ; and if, notwithstanding these precautionary 
measures, the insects should increase, a little sulphur may be 
dusted over the leaves in the middle of a hot day, repeating the 
application till they are removed, but always washing it off at 
night with the syringe. 
Maintaining an elevated moist heat is, however, best as a pre¬ 
ventive, and if this is constantly observed, it is not likely the 
insects will be troublesome, as they cannot endure vapour, and 
at the same time the plants will be growing beyond the possibility 
of injury. If it can possibly be managed to retain them in hot¬ 
bed till the flowers begin to appear, it will be best for them; but 
usually they get too high for any ordinary frame, and then it 
becomes necessary to provide room for them in a pit which can be 
kept close for a few weeks. In such a place they will do without 
