10 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
September 2, 1899. 
Copyrighted by 
J. Ca "ITER & CO, 
Double Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa fl. pl.’ 
or all posit ons. It is more partial in its choice of a 
site, enjoying one which is warm, moist, and freely 
drained. All of the species make nice rockery plants 
in thi proper places, or for massing in borders or on 
short grass. The little beaded spikes are exquisite. 
They should be put in 5 in. apart, and about 2\ in. 
deep, leaving them undisturbed for four years at 
least. They are handsome in boxes. 
DOUBLE TUBEROSES. 
The popular name of Polianthes tuberosa, namely, 
Tuberose, always calls up visions of some sort of 
Rose, but it has nothing to do with either a " tube " 
or a " Rose,” and only refers to the tuberous 
make the spikes remarkably heavy. Loam and wtll 
decayed cow dung in about equal parts, with plenty 
of sharp sand make a good compost. The bulbs 
come away slowly under cool treatment, though a 
little bottom-beat brings them away more quickly 
and better. The pots containing them may be kept 
in ashes till roots are formed, when they may be put 
in heat, if necessary, to accelerate them. 
NARCISSUS INCOMPARABILIS 
ORANGE PHOENIX. 
Here we have another of the most popular double 
varieties. Thousands of it are bought and sold in 
the course of the bulb season without difficulty. The 
more it is known the more it is wanted. It is a fine 
double form of the N iocomparabilis which belongs 
to the Continent originally, but is now naturalised a 1 
over Britain and Ireland. It makes a good pot 
subject. Three or four bulbs in a 7-in. pot are suffi¬ 
cient, using a rather rich fibrous loam, and attend¬ 
ing to the watering and nourishing of the spikes 
when they appear. The spikes need some neat 
support because of their weight. Well-ripened 
bulbs are always sure to turn out well. Batches can 
be brought on in succession by taking different lots 
into heat at intervals. Ripen off the bulbs after 
growth has finished and dry them. Sound young 
bulbs may be planted now. The illustration of this 
useful variety (p. 12) was lent us by Messrs. J. 
Peed & Son, Roupell Park Nurseries, West 
Norwood, London. 
RICHARDIA ELLIOTTIANA. 
Of the early summer flowering "Lily-like" plants, 
the Callas, Arums, or Richardias, which rames are 
given to one and the same class of plants, are emi¬ 
nently beautiful. The old Richardia africana is 
NARCISSUS TELAMONIUS PLENUS. 
Is there any double variety of Daffodil "taken to " 
more than this old favourite ? It is really just a Conti¬ 
nental variety or form of our native Daffodil (Nar¬ 
cissus Pseudo-Narcissus), but it keeps its character 
everywhere to be seen, and of novelties introduced 
within half-a-dozen years the species R. elliottlanais 
certainly invaluable. Perhaps, if a census were 
taken upon the relative merits of the best half 
dozen greenhouse plants or species or varieties of 
such plants lately brought to notice, the subject 
under note would be among the first for inclusion. 
Save that the vigour of the plants may not be quite 
equal to the original C. africana, that the spathes or 
" flowers ” are of a rich glowing yellow, and that the 
leaves are spotted, the general habit and charac¬ 
ter of C. elliottiana are identical with the better 
known species. Once a stock is secured one need 
not fear of its failing, but rather of its continuance 
and increase. The suckers may be inserted in pots 
proportionate to their size any time from now till the 
end of October or later. A compost of unctuous 
loam, cow-manure and an opening quantity of light 
leaf mould will suit them. Do not pot too firmly, 
and be very careful in the watering until strong 
growths have been thrown up. A light position in a 
warm greenhouse, whose atmosphere is moistened, 
are also points the attention to which will be found to 
pay. Fumigate if aphides trouble them. During 
summer they should be rested for a short period, and 
in favourable parts this species may be plunged or 
planted out. They are simply invaluable for all pur¬ 
poses of spring decoration. Those who had the 
pleasure of visiting the Temple show this year will 
recall the splendid group of Messrs. Cutbush & Son, 
Highgate, in the big tent, and which they now enable 
us to figure. (See p. n ) 
--■ 
THE CHINESE SACRED LILY. 
As our illustration serves to show, there is no freer 
flowering Polyanthus Narcissus than the above, 
botanically known as N. Tazetta chinensis. The 
beauty of the same is most noteworthy, for the 
perianth or outer ray of petals is of silvery hue, and 
the corona or inner cup is bright, shining yellow. 
Added to quality and quantity of blooms, they 
possess a delightful fragrance, quite agreeable in 
dwelling rooms. Like other plants shrouded with 
mysticism and superstitious reverence, this Narcissus 
or " Lily ” bears also such endearments as Joss 
Flower, Flower of the Gods, Water Fairy Flower, 
the " Shui Sin Far,” and Oriental Lily. The Chinese 
use it lavishly at the advent of their New Year, as a 
symbol of good luck. Their method of treatment or 
culture of it is peculiarly kept among themselves, 
but their methods are'most successful. The remark¬ 
ably short space of time required to bring a good 
bulb into bloom (four to six weeks after planting) is 
quite inconceivable. For pot culture no plant of a 
like nature is simpler to grow. The bulbs can be 
secured in October and potted up at once, treating 
them afterwards as advised for any other Narcissus. 
In ornamental bowls among water and only steadied 
by a few pebbles, the Chinese Sacred Lily is invalu¬ 
able. We are indebted to Messrs. Wm. Cutbush & 
Son, of Highgate, London, N., for the use of the 
block, (p. 11.) 
ing them—the quality of tbe soil does not much 
matter—and in giving them an occasional top¬ 
dressing later on. They may be grown in pots or 
window boxes, or even frames for earlier supplies, 
but in any case tbe chief points are, not to plant them 
deeply, and to give them rational treatment in tbe 
watering. Good bulbs witl flower under any circum¬ 
stances, but of course do not purposely neglect them. 
C. sardensis is more uniformly blue, and blooms 
earlier. 
Muscari botryoides. —This is only one of a great 
number of Grape Hyacinths. It is not the deepest 
blue among them, but it is a hue or shade well liked. 
Probably this is one of the best species, too, for any 
character of the rootstock. One botanist, however, 
named it Tuberosa arnica, thus using two adjectives 
instead of one preceded by a noun, which is no 
doubt responsible for much misconception concern¬ 
ing the name. Only two species are known to 
science ; the second one (P. maculata), however, has 
not been introduced. Both are natives of Mexico. 
The double flowered variety and P. t. gracilis have 
long been known, but the former is by far the most 
popular. The accompanying illustration, lent us by 
Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High Holborn, London, 
shows the double one in its best form. The double 
flowers, wiih their fleshy petals, and the fact that 
the blooms are twin from the axils of the bracts, 
