1881, ] 
EUCHARIS AMAZONICA.—SUBURBAN GARDENING. 
185 
the bulbs get much larger and finer than 
when they are kept in pots. —A. Henderson, 
Thoresby, 
THE BELLADONNA LILY. 
« HE Amaryllis Belladonna , or as it is 
generally called, the Belladonna Lily, 
is a very ornamental garden plant, 
producing its beautiful flowers, which are of a 
delicate soft rose colour, about the end of 
September or beginning of October, and con¬ 
tinuing in bloom, if the season be favourable, 
for a month or more. It is said to have been 
imported from Portugal, but is a native of the 
West Indies, where it is found by the side of 
mountain streams in partially shaded places. 
It was introduced in 1712, and has always 
been a special garden favourite. It is generally 
found in gardens planted close to the walls of 
plant-houses, where it obtains warmth and 
shelter. It bears its beautiful flowers on foot¬ 
stalks about 2 feet high. To cultivate it 
successfully a south-west aspect should be 
chosen, and the border well trenched to the 
depth of 2 feet or 2 feet 6 inches ; a layer of 
good rotten dung to the depth of about G inches 
should be placed at the bottom, the soil re¬ 
placed to within 9 inches of the surface, at which 
depth the bulbs should be planted 6 or 8 inches 
apart, and then covered over by filling up to the 
former height of the border. If the soil should 
be retentive, a considerable quantity of sand 
and well-decomposed manure should be added 
to it. The bulbs should be covered over in 
winter with cocoa-nut fibre or tanner’s bark, 
3 or 4 inches thick, to protect them from frost. 
—L. Eyles, Lesham Villa , Kew* 
SUBURBAN GARDENING. 
EOEMBER,—What mild, pleasant, 
^ hV summerlike weather characterised the 
second week in November! It was 
so balmy and soft, that it seemed as if a rem¬ 
nant of summer had been left to us. It has 
been rare weather for the gardener and farmer, 
for they have been enabled to get in their 
autumn sowings, clean the land, engage in 
planting, and do all out-door work with plea¬ 
sure and comfort. It seems as if summer 
would last on till the new year, but how often 
is it that winter lasts on to summer 1 It appears 
as if the seasons of spring and autumn were 
fading away from us. 
Kitchen Garden. —The roots of Asparagus 
may be taken up at intervals, and placed on a 
slight hot-bed. Those who are starting an 
early vinery into growth can make up a good 
forcing-bed for Asparagus, by making the 
framework of one from boards, hurdles, &c., in 
the vinery, filling it with leaves and hot dung, 
placing a few inches of soil on this, and then 
the roots, covering them with a layer of soil; 
a supply of good Asparagus can thus be ob¬ 
tained, and the exhalations from the bed help 
the development of the vines. If beds of Aspara¬ 
gus in the open ground have not been dressed 
with well-rotted dung and soil, they should be 
so treated at once. Some more Seakale should 
be covered with pots, to cause it to grow, filling 
up around them with leaves and warm dung. 
It will be ready for cutting in about five or 
six weeks. Cabbage Plants may still be put 
out, to give a second crop in spring. Winter 
Spinach and Winter Onion beds should bo 
kept clear of weeds, and as far as it can be 
done, the soil kept stirred among the plants. 
It is best to plant the Cabbage in drills, a little 
deep, as the hollows prevent the plants from 
being blown about by the wind. Broccoli 
that has headed in may be protected from 
injury from frost by undermining the plants, 
and forcing them down towards the north, the 
heads nearly close to the ground, by which 
means the plants shelter each other. In case 
of very severe weather, some long litter can 
be thrown over the heads. The forwardest 
plants of Endive should be taken up and 
planted in a cold frame, removing with good 
balls of earth, to nourish the plants. Celery 
should still be earthed up, if needed. 
Fruit Garden. — Newly-planted trees should 
be mulched over the roots, as there is no know¬ 
ing when the present mild weather may change 
to sharp frosts. All new-planted standard 
trees should be firmly secured to stakes, so that 
they be not blown about by the wind. All 
planting should be done without delay, as it 
often happens that if delayed beyond Christ¬ 
mas, the weather proves unfavourable^ and 
