92 
AM ARYLLID S. 
roots, and remove such as are withered and dead ; distribute them 
equally through the soil, and press the latter pretty firmly in its 
place. 
On their first introduction to heat, the roots should be placed 
at the coolest end of the stove, that some little activity may arise 
before they are placed in bottom-heat, and up to this time give 
but little water. The appearance of the leaves at the crown of 
the bulb, must be the signal for real growing measures, plunge 
them at once in a bed having a bottom temperature of about 80°, 
or if of greater warmth, place the pots but half their depth in it; 
water will be required daily in liberal supplies, and by keeping 
the plants near to the glass, and admitting air freely on favo¬ 
rable occasions, they will grow with vigour and increase in size 
greatly. 
This is to be regarded as the preliminaty treatment of young 
bulbs that are not in a blooming condition, when they have at¬ 
tained sufficient strength to flower, a little difference will be 
necessary in their spring management; but to pursue the course 
of those we started with. They will have completed their growth 
by August, and should then be allowed to sink gradually into a 
state of dormancy, so that, by the approach of winter they may 
be quite dry, and are to be thus kept until the succeeding active 
season. I find the best place to keep them through the winter, 
is on a dry shelf in the greenhouse, and if it has but little light 
they are less likely to be excited before their proper time. On 
the return of spring, the strong bulbs will push up their flower 
stems even before they are taken to the stove, and then begins 
again the growing treatment; the difference to be observed with 
those which are deemed of sufficient strength to flower, is to 
keep them dry after they are taken into heat, and defer the 
repotting till the stem rises. 
As regards the selection of kinds with a view to the production 
of distinct varieties, there is some difficulty to start upon new 
ground; it is certain, however, we must have some that have 
been before employed, on account of their inclination to bear 
seed, and for the well-known sportive character of their offspring; 
from among such I would recommend Colvillii , itself an hybrid 
between Reticulata and Johnsonii, the red variety of Formosum 
called Rubicundum, a cross breed of the former and Reginum. 
