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4 
THE FLORIST. 
introduced, are well worth crossing, with a view to the production of 
new varieties. 
I have given some account of the principal imported bulbs which 
I employed in crossing ; the cultivator will, of course, in re-crossing, 
select the best-formed flowers for the purpose, as being those from 
which most is to be expected. I may add, that I have invariably 
found crossed seedlings to grow stronger than those produced with¬ 
out hybridisation. 
In cultivating them, as soon as the seed is ripe, sow it in pots or 
pans, and place them in a good heat. Cover the seed with a little 
sand. When the leaves are three inches long, pot off, three in a pot, 
still keeping them plunged in heat, and shifting as required. Indeed, 
the treatment afforded the Pineapple, when properly grown, will 
nearly suit the Hippeastrum. The leaves should never be allowed to 
die down till the bulbs have attained a flowering size, which will be in 
two years, if properly treated, after the bulbs are potted from their 
seed-pots. A few will throw up their flower stems the previous 
autumn, when the leaves are in great luxuriance. 
Bulbs grown in this hasty manner will throw up large flower- 
stems with fine heads of bloom. Great care must be taken to allow 
the stems and leaves to die down gradually; if placed in heat for a 
short time after flowering, it will assist in hardening the bulbs, which 
should be, when put to rest, as hard as a well-dried onion. This is 
essential to their flowering well in the following season. 
H. calyptratum retains its foliage during the winter, and only 
requires less water than in summer. H. aulicum and Aulicum pla- 
typetalum have a similar tendency, but flower much finer if allowed 
to die down. 
H. striatifolium retains its foliage. I have found this bulb rather 
difficult to keep. It should not be allowed to be quite dry in the 
winter. I have grown it well in peat earth ; and in a good heat and 
moist temperature, it will flower well in autumn or spring. Hy¬ 
brids from this may be induced to flower at any season from October 
to June. All the other varieties of Hippeastrum grow best in a good 
loam, mixed with sand, without manure. 
In growing from seed, I generally kept the bulbs under ground 
till they attained a flowering size ; I then potted the large growing 
sorts singly, and gradually exposed the bulbs; but when young, they 
certainly grow quicker when potted deep. When the bulbs attain 
maturity, keep them in moderate-sized pots ; and, instead of shifting, 
occasionally shake the mould from the roots when they begin growing 
in spring. 
A dry shed or room, where the frost cannot penetrate, is the best 
place to keep the bulbs during their period of rest. If it is not 
required to have a show at any particular season, I would advise 
some bulbs to be placed in the forcing house every week, or every 
fortnight, from October to May. As spring advances, look carefully 
to your bulbs. Take them out occasionally, and give a little water, 
so as not to allow them in the least degree to wither or become soft. 
As they begin to push, place them in the forcing house. 
Ishworth. James Carton. 
