1884 .] 
the AMERICAN GARDEN. 
233 
I 
Vi 
AMASmiS. 
Among winter-floworing bulbs, the Ama 
ryllis, in its various species and innumerable 
hybrids, the general ebaraotor of which 
latter is shown in our illustration, takes a 
prominent place. In fact, it would bo dilll 
cult to imagine a more beautiful and showy 
ornament to the window-garden than a woli- 
grown Amaryllis in bloom, and yet it is com¬ 
paratively seldom soon by amateurs. 
There is not the least diflieulty in gi-owing 
it in the house, if its necessary wants which 
are easily provided for, arc complied with. 
The great point to observe in its cultiva¬ 
tion is that the bulbs must liavo a season of 
rest after blooming, without being dried up 
altogether. This state, is best produced by 
giving gradually less water until 
the plants have ceased growing, 
when only enough should be fur¬ 
nished to prevent their shrivel¬ 
ing up. 
The bulbs should during their 
season of rest remain in the pots, 
in some dry place. As the roots 
remain on the bulbs all the time, 
taking them out of the pots to 
dry, as is done with Hyacinths 
and Tulips, is a most injurious 
proceeding, which almost always 
results in non-flowering. A soil 
composed of well-decayed leaf- 
mold and sandy loam is best for 
Amaryllis, but it is not necessary 
to repot them every year. 
When wanted for winter flower¬ 
ing, the pots are to be brought to 
a wanner place, near the light, 
and gradually watered more fre¬ 
quently. The leaves, and with 
them generally the flower-stalks, 
will soon appear, when a full 
supply of water has to be given. 
If wanted for summer flowering 
outdoors, they should be kept 
dormant dui-ing winter, trans¬ 
ferred to the open gi-ound in 
spring, and taken up again in 
autumn. 
A 'WINTEK-HOUSE FOE PLANTS. , . 
Several years ago I planned 
and built a house or pit for keep¬ 
ing dormant plants. My green¬ 
house was small, and as I wanted 
a succession of flowers in winter 
and I spring, the following plan 
was adopted, as being easily 
managed, with little expense be¬ 
sides the first cost of what I call 
my “ winter-house.” 
It was built by digging a pit 
into the face of a gentle slope, 
so as to secure drainage, nine 
feet wide and twenty-five feet in leugt i. 
At the time it was made I was so doubtful o 
the success of the experiment, that I nse 
two-inch chestnut plank for lining, feanng 
that I might have to pull it down in a year 
or two if it did not work. But now I am so 
well pleased with it that when the p an ts 
give out I intend to replace them wi a 
hriok wall eight inches in thickness. J 
soil thrown out of the pit was banked up on 
the north side of the excavation seven ee 
high from the floor and supported ^ 
plank wall.. The south side was 
high. Lengthwise of the pit, threeie® 
w.!« n ^ ' which the earth 
VIS thrown one foot thick. This gives stand- 
“helves and benches 
1 11 Iio oartli Avaa sloped up to and 
ovorti,,, around the ends and front; 
US was tmfed over, and the open space on 
the south side covered with three by six feet 
sashes, such as are used for hot-beds. The 
entrance to the i)it is on the east end through 
double doors. 
The temperature of this pit with the glass 
on in sunny winter days is as high as 00°, 
and when the mercury falls to 20° below 
zero, it will not freeze enough to do harm to 
anything 1 have kept in it. During a few of 
the coldest nights in midwinter, after short. 
i.is'-';. 
hybrid amaryllis. 
sunless days, I have covered the most tender 
plants with papers, or kept a kerosene stove 
or a lantern burning for a few hom-s. No 
Are is needed, shutters laid over the glass at 
night and taken off in the morning to let the 
sunlight in will be protection enough. In 
the summer the sashes are taken off and the 
rafters and the whole interior left exposed 
to sun and air. . r. n 
In the fall I bring into this pit Callas, 
Boses, and Carnations, all pot-gi'own through 
the summer; plunge them in the soil on the 
benches, water once, and give no further 
care till I bring them into the hot-house for 
forcing. The pit being below the ground 
and well protected on all sides by the earth 
about it, is much warmer than one would 
suppose. 
On the shelf above the bench are “ flats,” 
in which the earth is four inches deep; these 
contain thidtty seedlings of Verbenas and 
Pansies. These remain partly shaded, cool, 
and do not make any growth to speak of. 
Insects find it too cool for comfort, and do 
not trouble the plants. The green fly will 
maintain a bare existence, but can be easily 
kept in check. 
Under the bench I keep such roots and 
plants in pots as require shade. In the open 
space between the bench and the south side 
of the pit is room for the large lawn plants, 
that often cumber the cellar and 
maintain a precarious existence 
in a furnace-heated house. 
Geraniums cutback and potted, 
or placed directly in the dirt floor, 
live over to make large, nice 
plants for another year. The 
plants need very little water or 
change of air, except such as 
comes from opening the doors in 
going in and out. Roses keep 
nicely here, can be tended with¬ 
out trouble, and will make some 
new growth as the long spring 
days come near. In addition to 
its value for storing plants, I 
have found that Celery and many 
other vegetables will here keep 
very nicely. Active plants set in 
boxes in the fall will live for 
early setting in the spiing, also 
Cabbages and similar plants. 
The only secret of success with 
such a structure is to let all the 
sunlight in, by taking off the 
shutters every day when it does 
not snow, from nine a. m. to four 
p. M. In stormy weather, and 
when a storm threatens, the shut¬ 
ters should always be put on, 
and kept on. After every snow¬ 
fall the snow should be cleared 
off to let in the sun. Sometimes, 
iu very stormy weather I clean 
alternate ends of the pit, and let 
the sun in on one end only at a 
time ; this gives sufficient light 
for the time. 
If it is not feasible to plan 
such a pit deep enough under 
ground, it is of the greatest im¬ 
portance that it is be well pro- 
.... teeted by banking soil against 
the sides all around. It may also 
be so arranged that it can be en¬ 
tered from some building. 
Considering all points, I have 
never attempted anything in the 
garden which, for the outlay, gave me so, 
much satisfaction as this “ winter-house.” 
W. H. Bull. 
A NEQLEOTED HOUSE-PLANT. 
Common as it is, we do not know a prettier 
and more gi'aeeful herbaceous plant than the 
Bleeding Heart (Diceiitra spectahilis), espe¬ 
cially for house culture. A small clump may 
be taken up at any time before the ground is 
frozen, transplanted in rich soil in a suf-. 
fleiently large pot, and treated similar to 
Dutch Bulbs, with which it harmonizes well. 
