J02 
THE COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 
December 2. 
he mixed a quantity of rotten dung; after that he jout a 
foot of rich garden loam, planted his bulbs, and used a 
lighter soil on the top, the bulbs standing six inches 
deep. We have seen lately how beautifully they get it 
to flower at Claremont under similar treatment, and 
a change every sixth year. I have also seen it flowering 
well with the bulbs nearly out of the ground, in a very 
rich border. It increases fast from off-set bulbs, but 
does not seed freely, or but very seldom in this country. 
In Australia it seeds freely enough, and the cross seed¬ 
lings from it there would be a great acquisition in this 
country, particularly the crosses from the pollen of 
Brunsvigia inultiflora; and there is no reason why it 
should not sport there as H^ipeastrum does here. Bella¬ 
donnas, and all other bulbs which grow in winter and 
rest in summer should not be planted in mixed borders, 
nor where the roots of large trees or bushes can reach ; 
the latter will suck away the goodness from the soil; and 
growing plants require water in summer; and these 
Amaryllises are better in the dry while they are at rest. 
There are two varieties, one of them paler; and the 
third species mentioned in the Dictionary, Blanda, is 
not in any public collection in this country, as far as I 
can learn. When I come to the other sections of the 
genus, I shall speak of the best mode of treating a whole 
collection of them; but, as they are now pushing out 
of the ground, I may remark generally, that they require 
air constantly, and large doses of water from the time 
the leaf is two inches long; and if they are in pots it 
is better to water them from below by a saucer full of 
water, now and then, but not constantly; say as much as 
the soil can take up in a couple of days; then take away 
the saucer for ten days or a fortnight. 
There is a scarce little bulb, called Cyrtanthus vni- 
florus, Gastrenama clavatum, and other names. It is a 
true Amaryllis, and so are all the Cyrtanthus Bruns- 
vigias; and there is little doubt but Strumaria and 
Hessea are also true Amaryllises —at any rate they 
require the above treatment at this season, as well as all 
other half-hardy bulbs that grow in winter. 
Andkocymbidm. —There are three species of this little- 
known genus in our Dictionary, but they are not worth 
while for their beauty, only as botanical sections, or 
curiosities; that they require sometimes to illustrate 
lectures and so forth. Their flowers are small, and dull, 
greenish white. 
Anisanthus (see Antholyza) from which Sweet divided 
them upon grounds not now recognised by botanists. 
Anthericum is on any list, but there are no bulbs in 
it, and therefore I shall pass it, although botanists make 
it a section of the lilies; at best they ai'O only Asphodels. 
D. Beaton. 
{To be continued.^ 
VIOLETS. 
In this ago of glitter, it is something to find that 
worth, however retiring, is not always passed by and 
forgotten. The brilliant rivets the attention, and 
affords full play to a buoyant imagination. The good 
is more securely enshrined in the recesses of our 
warmest affections. Insensible though the world be to 
merit, I believe it is hardly so black a transgressor as 
many aspirants for distinction would have us believe. 
But to win the approbation of the world the merit 
must be real —no plated, gilded thing will long pass 
muster. And, again, the merit must be free from 
alloy, not associated with the impure or the revolting. 
Then we will freely own that the greatest worth is not 
always conjoined with the greatest show, and that 
there are many bright deeds, and many bright things 
in this world of ours, which are but little noticed by a 
dreamy philosophy. 
Would any reader enjoy a quiet insight into men 
and things, let him, in an hour’s leisure, glance over 
the advertising columns of a daily newspaper, or 
even of those connected with our own humble serial. 
What a satire at times upon vanity and upwardism! 
What an unfolding, in general, of prevailing wants, 
tastes, and aspirations; and, above all, what joyous 
hopes infused, frequently, for the future. Advertise¬ 
ments will appear just as long as they suit a purpose. 
Between the line of the beautiful in nature, and 
the appreciation of the lovely in morals, there is a 
! close connection. Every advertisement, therefore, 
I respecting the gorgeous in flowers, speaks of a refining 
influence healthily spreading. Every statement an- 
j nounciug where superb violets are to be procured, 
I declares not only that the same bettering influence is 
being felt by the humblest in society, but also, that if 
i not the already and the note, the period is nearing, 
\ when true worth, however retiring, whether among 
I plants or men, shall receive its due meed of appro- 
j bation. Who can forget emotions of the past, asso- 
j ciated with a single bloom of the lowly violet? Who 
, has traversed the brakes and hedge-banks of society 
! without discovering there, again and again, many of the 
1 noblest virtues that adorn humanity ? 
Several inquiries having lately been made on the 
j general management of these much-prized plants, our 
I Captain Editor has wished me to have “my say” on the 
subject of violets, although I have, in one of our earlier 
volumes, already noted the main points of manage¬ 
ment. Eeferring back might not, however, suit some 
subscribers, and, as at present I cannot lay hands 
I upon the paper myself, readers will have the advantage 
of any changes of practice that have been suggested 
since then. 'The kinds or varieties will be mentioned 
I in rotation, according to the estimate formed of them, 
j and their early autumn, winter, and spring blooming. 
1. Neapolitan Violet. —This I still consider to bo 
worthy of a first place, both on account of the size and 
sweetness of its lilac flowers. There is one disadvantage 
connected with it, namely, that it seldom does any good 
out-of-doors, unless in a very dry and sheltered situa¬ 
tion, and even there they will be late. A conservatory, 
or a glass-covered pit or frame is the place for it in 
winter. Eor this purpose young plants are best. 
Propagation. This is effected by runners and divisions. 
First. By Runners. —These, if wanted, may be allowed 
to grow in spring, but at no other time. They may be 
cut off when three inches in length, and inserted in 
sandy soil, under handlights, on a slight hotbed in 
March and April. When well rooted they should be 
planted out in a nice mellow border, about eight inches 
apart. Second. By Division. —This mode involves least 
trouble, and I think it is the better of the two. Take 
the plants that have done flowering in April or May, 
and tear them to pieces with the hand ; one plant 
may thus be made into a good number, each sup¬ 
plied with a nice crown of leaves and roots. Plant 
these out as mentioned above for the cuttings, giving 
them from six to eight inches from plant to plant. 
Summer treatment. —Almost all the success depends 
upon this. The soil should be mellow, open, and well 
drained, enriched with a fail- proportion of rotten dung, 
or leaf mould, and if the soil is very adhesive, a good 
proportion of i-oad or drift sand. The soil should also 
I be frequently stirred after planting. Waterings must be 
duly attended to, and, if a vestige of red spider appear, 
the plants must be well drenched with soot and sulphur. 
Shadings will be required at first, but as soon as the 
plants are taking free hold of the soil they must 
gradually be exposed to every ray of sunshine. Every 
roeed, will tell against success, because it will prove that 
neither cleanliness nor stirring the soil has been attended 
to. Every runner mitst bo removed as soon as it ap- 
l)ears. Unless produced very early in the season, not one 
