1870. ] 
THE amateur’s PAGE. 
21 
They generally arrive in this country during the months of February and March. 
In selecting the roots, the largest and firmest, and those with few offsets, should 
be chosen,—^indeed, the fewer offsets the better. In order to have a succession 
of them in flower, it is requisite to start them into growth at different intervals. 
To accomplish this successfully, all the bulbs, even those that are to flower in the 
open air, should bo started in pots. The first batch is potted into 6-in. pots as 
soon as it arrives, and others are potted at intervals during the months of April 
and May, in very rich soil, previously prepared for the purpose. Before potting, 
remove all loose skin, offsets, &c., and be careful, in potting, not to cover the 
entire bulb with soil, otherwise it will be very liable to decay. After potting, 
place them in a gentle hot-bed, water very sparingly, and keep them pretty 
close until the flower-stem begins to appear, when it is requisite to give air more 
liberally, in order to prevent the plants from getting weakly and drawn. These 
attentions, together with a plentiful supply of light, are the most essential points 
in their culture, for if they become weak and drawn they will produce but few 
blossoms, while if they are grown sturdily they will flower freely. 
As the plants advance in growth, water more liberally, using at times a little 
stimulant; give abundance of air, and constantly keep them neatly tied up, other¬ 
wise they will soon grow crooked and deformed. When sufficiently advanced in 
growth, remove them to the stove, greenhouse, or any other suitable place where 
there is plenty of light. Here they may remain until their blossoms expand, 
when they may be removed to the drawing-room or conservatory, and when set 
amongst other exotics they will, by their beauty, add their quota to the gay 
furnishing of the house, and shed abroad their fragrant odours every morning 
and evening, when the house is closed, in a way that can only be conceived by 
those whose good fortune it is to grow them well. 
Those grown for the open air should be all potted and started into growth in a 
gentle hot-bed, and transplanted out when secure from frost. I find they succeed 
much better by this method than by planting out in the open air in a domiant 
state, for, although I have seen them succeed tolerably well by that method in 
some seasons, yet on the other hand, I have seen many failures. No doubt in 
the south they will succeed very well planted out in the open borders in a 
dormant state, but by practising the method I adopt success is rendered certain. 
—Edward Bennett, Osherton. 
THE AMATEUR’S PAGE. 
HE extreme beauty of the choicer Chryscmthemimis^ their variety, and the 
great perfection which has characterized their growth and bloom during 
the past season, will, no doubt, have considerably raised them in the 
estimation of many growers, particularly of amateurs, who may be led to 
ask by what means so fine a growth and such a grand autumnal display may be 
secured. I propose to show that there are no mysteries whatever connected witk 
