20 
THE GENUS CALOCIIORTUS. 
recently transplanted subjects, and, where it is practicable, much 
assistance may be given to the plants by shading them from the 
intense heat of the sun; in all cases a layer of mulch about the 
bases of the stems will be beneficial, and save a great deal of 
trouble. An old Planter. 
ON THE GENUS CALOCHQRTUS. 
There is a class of plants, including many genera of highly 
ornamental character, that have been long enough in the country 
to have become common, but which, from some inexplicable 
cause, are seldom or ever seen in ordinary collections ; why this 
should be is a matter of much astonishment. It cannot arise 
from any lack of interest in the subjects, for very many might 
be mentioned of superlative loveliness that are yet included in 
the number of the neglected; and among them is the Calochortus, 
the whole of the species of which possess high claims on the 
culturist’s attention, as beautiful ornaments for the greenhouse 
or open borders through the autumnal months. C. luteus, pro¬ 
ducing yellow flowers, with deep rich spots ; C. nitidus, purple ; 
C. splendens , white, spotted; and the lilac C. venustus, are real 
gems, obtainable too with a very trifling degree of care. They 
are natives of Columbia and California, and consequently require 
to be guarded from frosts ; their bulbs should be potted in Feb¬ 
ruary, using a mixture of peat, loam, and sand, in equal quantities, 
thrown together in as rough a state as possible; observing at the 
same time to place an abundant drainage in the pot, as they are 
impatient of stagnant moisture. Three plants in a good-sized 
pot will be sufficient, and they should be grown in a cold pit, or 
a common garden-frame will suffice if properly protected from 
severe weather. In this position the pots should be plunged to 
the rims in ashes, as a further protection both from extreme cold 
and drought, and thus they may remain through the summer 
months, receiving plenty of air, and an occasional refreshing from 
the water-pot. On the production of flowers the plants may be 
removed to any desirable situation, returning them to their for- 
