Plate 161 . 
IXIAS, CEATEEOIDES, YIEIJDIELOEA, AND 
PLAUTUS. 
No little sensation was created this season by the exhibition' 
of some very fine blooms of Ixias , Spar axis, JBabianas , and other 
allied bulbs, which Messrs. Hooper, of Covent Garden, ex¬ 
hibited at the June show of the Eoyal Horticultural Society; 
and as we believe it requires but the bringing of these very 
beautiful flowers before the public to ensure more attention 
to them, we have figured three varieties, and are also enabled 
to present the following remarks on their culture, with which 
Messrs. Hooper have favoured us. 
“ The Ixia is not a hardy plant, and, like all natives of the 
Cape of Good Hope, cannot bear the severities of our winters, 
especially in cold wet soils. Protection, therefore, during the 
inclement months is essential to success with its culture. 
“The bulbs for conns, more properly speaking, though as a 
mercantile phrase the word 4 bulb ? includes all such stems or 
roots) should be potted in October in good light turfy loam and 
sand. A good deep bed should then be prepared of old dry 
tan, and fresh hot litter from the stable. Upon this a frame 
may be placed and the pots stood inside, plunged in more of 
the tan. The lights should be kept closed during the night, 
but during fine weather abundance of air should be given at 
daytime. When frosts occur, however, they must be excluded 
as carefully as possible by embankments of more of the manure, 
etc., and, if necessary, a covering of mats on the top. Water 
must be withheld until the first signs of leaves appear above 
the surface, when it should be carefully administered, just to 
avoid the exhaustion of the bulbs by drought, but at the same 
time without danger of the frost acting upon it. As growth 
proceeds, more water will of course be required. 
