Plate 225 . 
YALLOTA EXIMIA. 
Among those numerous varieties of Cape bulbs which we 
have had for so long a time in our greenhouses, there is not 
one more worthy of cultivation than the well-known Vallot a 
purpurea; and yet it is not by any means so extensively culti¬ 
vated as we might have expected, for it presents no difficulty 
in its treatment, and with even a small number of bulbs a 
succession of bloom may be kept up for a long period, and that 
at a time of the year when flowers are more scarce than in the 
summer. 
The method of treatment which we have ourselves adopted 
is of the very simplest character. As soon as the bulbs have 
done flowering we cut off the flower-stem as low down as pos¬ 
sible, and then re-pot them (this occurs generally some time in 
November, although we have even now, in the middle of De¬ 
cember, bulbs in bloom). The compost that we use is one 
composed of good yellow loam and leaf-mould, in about equal 
proportions, with a good mixture of silver sand. As soon as 
the bulbs are potted they are gently watered, and placed in the 
greenhouse, vffiere they wall be excluded from frost, and kept 
in a growing state all the winter, although it wall be necessary 
to be cautious in not overwvatering them. They wall, it is true, 
take a good deal, but no plant will endure for long defective 
drainage. As soon as the days begin to lengthen and more 
sunlight is obtained, w 7 e waiter more freely, and thus excite 
their growth. They may, during the summer, be placed in a 
cold pit out of doors, or in a cool part of the greenhouse, and 
during this period may receive a plentiful supply of water, 
and be kept in a vigorously-growing state. As they show 
their flow T er-stems they may be brought into the greenhouse or 
