214 
THE FLORISTS JOURNAL. 
inches thick on a well-prepared drainage in a sheltered situation 
with a south aspect. The month of November is by some con¬ 
sidered the best time for planting; but I prefer the middle of 
October, as, after that period, no advantage is gained by allowing 
them to remain above ground. I make drills three inches deep 
across the beds already prepared, wherein I plant the bulbs three 
inches asunder, covering them with sand, and raking the beds, 
even when the work is completed. In my nursery I have 
devoted a nine-light frame to this class of plants, with compost 
as described, by which I am enabled to protect with glass, when 
circumstances may dictate its necessity. Of course if glass is 
not at hand, mats or other covering can be employed. 
“ I also grow a great quantity in pots, the soil used being 
similar to that already described, with a good and efficient 
drainage. They are placed in a cold frame, where they are 
allowed to remain during the winter months, but on the approach 
of spring can be removed to the greenhouse or conservatory. 
Before blooming they must receive a good supply of water, but 
after flowering, only a moderate quantity should be given, when 
they may be placed in the open air until such time as the bulbs 
have received the returning sap from the leaves, when they 
should be taken up and placed in paper bags in a dry situation, 
till the next planting season arrives. 
“ Sparaxis and Ixia are readily increased by offsets, which are 
produced in abundance. If an amateur wishes to succeed, with 
the least expense, he should pay every attention to the growth 
of offsets, as by them he will be enabled to maintain a good 
supply of blooming bulbs. 
" I plant the offsets in deep seed-pans, about an inch below 
the soil, where they are allowed to remain for at least two years; 
if any of the bulbs seem disposed to send up flower stems, 
they are immediately taken off, thereby retaining strength to 
the bulb, which would have been exhausted in the production 
of a premature blossom. On this point many persons have 
failed, and consequently given up their cultivation, on account 
of the presumed difficulty of maintaining strong-blossoming 
bulbs. When procured from the nurseries, they are bloomed, 
and produce offsets ; with this effort the bulbs are deteriorated 
in size and strength, and consequently not blooming so well as 
the preceding season, they are, with the whole tribe, discarded 
