* 72 
THE ELOKIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
is not necessary for this purpose, if attention be paid to their period of rest and 
of growth, resting only a portion of the bulbs at one time. 
The great art in cultivating these, and all other bulbs, is to procure healthy 
vigorous leaves, as on these depends the quantity of nutritive matter prepared 
and deposited in the bulb, and consequently its ability to flower in the follow¬ 
ing season. Bulbous roots increase in size, and proceed in acquiring power 
to produce blossoms, only during the periods in which they have leaves, and in 
which such leaves are exposed to light; and these organs always operate most 
efficiently when they are young, and have just attained their full growth. The 
number and size of the flowers will depend on the organised matter stored up 
in the bulb, which is a magazine that contains all the nutritive matter collected 
from the leaves. 
During the period of rest, which should average about three months of the 
year, the bulbs should be kept quite dry. They should be kept in the pots, 
not shaken out as they formerly used to be, on a dry shelf in the stove. That 
portion of the bulbs rested during the months of August, September, and 
October, should be started into growth in November ; that portion rested 
during October, November, and December, should be started in January; and 
that portion of bulbs rested during November, December, and January, should 
be started in February or March. "With a little care and attention a succes¬ 
sion of these beautiful flowers will by this means be secured during the whole 
of the winter, spring, and early part of summer. 
To start the bulbs into growth, all that is required is merely to place them 
near the light, in a little higher temperature than that in which they have been 
kept, and to give them a good watering. After this, they should have no more 
water until the scapes and leaves begin to grow, when they will require regular 
attention in watering. If the bulbs contain abundance of nutritive matter, 
they will only require a little heat and water, with exposure to light, to pro¬ 
duce their flowers. 
As soon as the flowers are fully expanded, the plants should be removed to 
the conservatory, or drawing-room, if required for that purpose. If, however, 
seed be wanted, the plants should not be removed from the stove, where a night 
temperature of from 55° to 60° should be maintained. They will then ripen 
seed freely, if artificial fecundation has been attended to, either by means of 
their own pollen, or with that of some other species or variety. After they 
have done flowering, they should be potted, if they require a larger pot, no 
matter what may be the time of year, as the leaves are then in healthy action. 
The most suitable soil is a good yellow loam, with a little coarse sand mixed 
with it. In potting, the greatest care must be taken not to break the roots or 
injure the ball; a little of the loose soil on the surface should only be removed. 
When potted, they should have a good watering ; they should then be placed 
in a good heat, be fully exposed to the light, and be carefully watered when 
necessary. Every attention must be given them as long as the leaves are in 
a healthy active state ; a good heat, abundance of light, air in mild weather, 
and water when necessary, are the chief things required. 
When the leaves naturally show symptoms of ripeness or decay, water must 
be gradually withheld ; and when they are completely decayed, the pots should 
be placed in some dry, moderately warm, situation—on a back shelf in the coolest 
part of the stove, or in any place where the bulbs and roots are not liable to 
suffer from damp. 
They are increased by offsets from the flowering bulb. These may be taken 
off at any time, and potted into small pots, then plunged in a hotbed-frame 
near the glass ; they should have air at all favourable opportunities, and be 
properly watered. As soon as the pots begin to be filled with roots, a shift 
