AUGUST 
178 
rather heavy loam, peat, dry cowdung, and sand. It must be borne in 
mind that the habit of the plant very much resembles that of the Lily of 
the Valley—namely, that it forms flowering crowns in the summer, and 
loses its leaves in the autumn, therefore the roots are at work all the sum¬ 
mer, and, I think, during the winter also, for it is surprising with what 
halls it may be lifted in spring. We have generally put a small wooden 
frame round the roots to prevent the workmen treading on the crowns. 
The leaves with us begin to come up in March; they are of a rich green, 
i 2 
