156 
THE FLORIST AND P0M0L0GIST. 
[ July, 
in this locality the most esteemed ; whilst others prefer the pale gold or still 
paler yellow, and are not so particular about the colour of the markings, as 
they are in regard to the purity of the inside. The markings may vary from 
black to pale scarlet. Here the red Bizarres are scarcely tolerated; wfhy, I 
am at a loss to say, for I do not see why a Tulip of good form, with a rich 
yellow ground, exquisite purity, and a beautiful deep scarlet feather or 
flame should be discarded. Now, if the National Tulip Society would only 
move in the matter, and adopt two classes for Bizarres—one for the dark 
and intermediate shades, and the other for red Bizarres, other societies 
might follow the example; but, like many other societies, the National has 
in it too much of the old school to make any liberal advancement, and this, 
with other matters, acts as a drawback to its general utility. 
Winton, John Walker. 
AGAPANTHUS UMBELLATUS. 
’HIS fine old plant is very useful for decorative purposes during the 
latter part of the summer, and early in the autumn. A well-grown 
specimen with ten or twelve large umbels of its bright blue flowers 
is a fine object; and when we consider that the plant is nearly hardy 
and of the easiest culture, the wonder is that it should be so much 
neglected. It is readily increased by offsets. These when potted in any 
rich earth soon make good plants; they have strong, fleshy fibrous roots, 
and when these fill the pots the plants should be shifted into larger ones. 
By giving them plenty of pot room they soon make fine large specimens. 
They do best out of doors in summer, and in winter they merely require 
protection from frost and moisture. It is a plant that most people could 
grow, and winter with very little trouble. 
Those who know the plant, and who may possess good specimens of it, 
would not, I feel sure, like to remove it from their collections to make room 
for any mere novelty. 
Stourton. M. Saul. 
ON THE WATERING OF OUT-DOOR PLANTS. 
KEW questions can be more important than that of when to water, and 
how. Nearly every one professes to answer them easily in an 
off-hand sort of way, in his own practice, but very few give to them 
the amount of careful thought they deserve. I was therefore much 
pleased to read Mr. McBey’s remarks upon watering at page 139. 
All that he says so well is true ; and yet I much doubt the wisdom of his 
conclusion, that the morning is the proper time for watering out-of-door 
plants in summer. The whole question turns upon the season of watering. 
All will agree that in either spring or autumn, when there is the slightest 
