NATURAL ORDER 1RIDE/E. 
67 
iii the open air, but it requires a degree of warmth and shelter. 
The bicolor, crassifolia, verna, dichotomy, aphylla, tuberosa, &c. 
&e. thrive the best, if planted in a mixture of equal parts of rich 
loam, and leaf mould, or peat. The bicolor is not perfectly hardy, 
but will require the shelter of a frame in cold weather. Its flowers 
are beautifully delicate, and soon become faded, if exposed to 
the powerful influence of the mid-day sun ; it is, therefore, advisable 
to place it, during the time of flowering, on a northern aspect, where 
the delicate blossoms will continue for some time. The Crassifolia 
requires the shelter of the greenhouse. The Dicliotomo or Scissor- 
plant should be planted in a sheltered ^>art of the flower border, 
where it will not receive much moisture. The Aphylla, is far from 
being common; I scarcely remember meeting with it in any of the 
gardens I have had the pleasure of visiting. The scent of the flowers 
greatly resembles that of the flowers of the orange tree. The Tuberosa 
is found growing wild both in England and Ireland ; when cultivated 
in our gardens, it very seldom flowers; perhaps this, in many in¬ 
stances, may proceed from the want of a peculiar treatment. It ought 
always to be allowed to stand three years at least in the situation 
where it was first planted, for if it be often removed it suffers damage. 
Towards the end of August, the fibrous roots begin to grow; after 
that time, if the soil be disturbed near the plant, the roots will be 
damaged and flowering prevented. The situation should be warm. 
Sunny, and free from wet. When it produces seeds, let them be 
sown immediately after being gathered, in the same kind of light 
soil in which the parent plant grows. In propagating by off-sets, 
dig up the tubers as soon as the leaves of the plant turn yellow in 
summer; as soon as they are taken up, and sufficiently divided, plant 
them immediately, for if dried in any degree, they receive injury. 
The depth at which they are to be planted should be six inches. 
The Reticulata, Susiana, &c. require a light soil, but it should be 
made rich. The former of these needs the shelter of a pit, or frame 
in winter. It is usually increased by off-sets, but occasionally ripens 
seeds, if the plant be protected from wet, and freely exposed to a pure 
air when in* flower. The latter may be planted in a somewhat 
stronger soil than the other, in a situation exposed to the full blaze 
of the sun ; and where the air is pure. Moisture is particularly in¬ 
jurious to this species, often proving fatal. In a very wet or severe 
season, the roots often perish ; it is advisable to keep a few in pots, 
either in a frame or the greenhouse, during winter. The mode of 
propagation is by cutting off pieces of the roots, for it very seldom 
ripens any seeds. 
