180 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
the object being to prevent the intense action of the sun’s rays 
on the soil, and the refraction of them from thence to the lower 
leaves of the plants at that particular season. 
If the intention of the cultivator lead to the production of 
Hybrids, advantage should be taken of the first opening of the 
flowers, as the operation of displacing the anthers or pollen 
masses is performed with greater ease and more certainty than 
if deferred later; this of course should be done only to those 
flowers intended to obtain seed from. The impregnation of these 
flowers should not be done till the stigma appears ripe : this may 
be known by its slightly parting in the centre—it usually occurs 
about two or three days after the first opening of the flower; it 
should then be immediately done, and labelled with the name 
of the kind it is crossed with ; this is of much consequence, as 
by keeping a correct account of the parent flowers of hybrids, a 
knowledge is obtained of the sorts best suited for the production 
of such hybrids. After being impregnated, the flower should be 
covered with a piece of gauze, or some other light substance, to 
prevent the ingress of insects. 
The seed should be allowed to remain on the plants till the 
pods assume a pale brown colour, or begin to split on the outer 
edges, when it should be gathered, and the stems of the plants 
cut over; the bulbs may be then taken up, if it is required to 
move them, or they may be allowed to remain two or even three 
years in the same bed, taking the precaution to cover the bed 
with a thick layer of fresh leaves, sufficient to protect them from 
the frost of the ensuing winter; indeed some of the more delicate 
sorts are improved by being suffered to remain in the earth for 
that period, especially those which are called shy bloomers; only 
one thing is necessary to be observed, if the bulbs are left in the 
ground all the winter, care should be taken to prevent too great 
a quantity of rain falling on the bed, by covering it with a frame 
or some other contrivance. 
The seed may be sown immediately after gathering, or it may 
be kept till the following spring; it should be sown in rather 
deep pans or boxes; if done in the Autumn, they should be 
kept in a cold frame, protecting them from frost; or if not sown 
till the spring, say the end of February, they may be placed in 
a gentle heat, just sufficient to start them, and then removed 
to a cold frame, to be inured by degrees to the open air. The 
