GLORIOSA SUPERBA. 
225 
the flower comes to maturity they assume a brilliant yellow tint, 
shaded and barred with orange and red, the tips retaining the 
green colour. The remarkable stamens and their anthers spread 
themselves out in a lateral direction beneath the petals, and thus 
the full blown flower is in form somewhat like that of a cyclamen 
or Japan lily, though the upper portion of the flower is more 
closely collected into an erect position, and altogether it is one of 
the most extraordinary as well as beautiful blossoms that can be 
imagined ; they are produced, too, so copiously as to' render the 
whole plant truly gorgeous in appearance. Like most tropical 
plants it requires a very decided treatment; there must be a 
positive difference in the seasons of activity and rest, for half and 
half measures or a continuous course of treatment would in¬ 
evitably end in its entire dissolution. To take the plant at this 
season, we shall find the majority just sinking into a dormant 
condition, the stems are withering, and in a week or two will be 
gone : this ripening process must be encouraged by all means, 
and to forward it as much as possible, the pots should be sta¬ 
tioned where the sun may act on them as well as the plant, and 
by withholding water, we shall have the roots in a mature state 
by the end of the month; the stems are then to be cut down, 
and the pot with the tubers undisturbed should be put away in 
a perfectly dry part of the stove, as a top shelf, or beneath the 
bark bed, if that happens to have a space beneath that which is 
not subject to drips ; in short, any place in which they can be 
kept dry and cool will suit, but they should not be removed from 
the soil in which they grew, or taken from the stove. In this 
state they are to remain, part of the roots till February, and the 
remainder till March or April, according as they are desired to 
bloom; about four months is occupied in the growth of the 
plant, and therefore it is easy to start them if we know when 
they are most desired in bloom. If the plants have been pre¬ 
viously well grown, and the roots properly kept through the 
winter, they will turn out of the pots sound and firm; but if 
symptoms of decay are observable, they should be carefully cut 
away, avoiding, under all circumstances, any undue attempts at 
separation ; for though this is the only practicable mode of propa¬ 
gating them, it must not be done except when and where a 
natural inclination to separate is apparent; to otherwise break 
