1886. 
THE OARRIOH FLOWER 
StapeUa, 
Thb 
In goiioKil appoaninco thoa„ odd i,., i, 
plants roactnblo .aoino sdooIos «f c,,' "8^ 
in thoir botanical position tlicv i,,".,.. 
lationslilp with thorn, and 
tlio 
ape- 
^hUoujj (it) 
jisdipiailwxw or Milk-woods. All the 
oiosof Stapolla are natives of the Cano nr 
Good Hope from whouco they have beeli in 
troduced since 1710. 
The entire plant Is very succulent, .md re 
quires treatment similar to Cactaceous or 
Crassulaceous plants. While growin-r vIkoi- 
ously they should bo watered copiously bm 
at other seasons frequent watering wili sure¬ 
ly cause rot. Tiicy arc propagated by cut¬ 
tings placed in dry sand. 
The flowers arc interesting and siiowy. 
The bulbs are of a roundisli shape, and star(> 
lug in most species from the base of 
the plant; they are star-iike in siuipe, 
and of a peculiar browuisli or yel¬ 
lowish color not frequent in otiicr 
flowers; they smell very uiucli like 
carrion so that flies are attracted 
and will sometimes lay their 
upon them. 
^AM^ICan garden. 
’“’‘I 
bulbs^ 
also be uken to drain the pots well and to 
loamv « two-thirds liglit, 
l^nny soil and one-third well-decayed ma. 
slmih'.rf aaiisons of growth water 
ii «i I /? and Jii'tcr llowcriiiir 
t should be gradually withhold. Wlien all 
II 0 foliage has deciiyed, turn the plants out 
01 the pots and ti'eat tlie bulbs as advised 
lor outside grown plants, 
situation, witli 
58°, 
this be.autiful bulbous plant, 
n ictiiei grown in the greenhouse or window 
garden, for either of which 
adapted. 
2-41 
A light, sunny 
an average temperature of 
is the most suitable for the successful 
cultlvatlou of 
it is equally 
eggs 
THE JAOOBAEAN LILT. 
Sprekelia formosissima. 
The scarlet Jacobman Lily, or as 
it is termed in some catalogues, 
Amaryllis formosissirna, is a very 
beautiful bulbous plant belonging to 
the Natural Order xTmaryllidac:e. 
It is a native of South America, from 
whence it was introduced in 1658, 
and it is to be regretted that it is so 
seldom seen in cultivation at the pres¬ 
ent day. The bright green leaves 
are about half an inch wide, from 10 
to 12 inches long, and tlie briiliaut, 
sciiriet, veivety flowers are produced 
on single flowered scapes from nine 
inches to one foot in height. Eacii 
buib generally produces two stems 
one after the other, each stem being 
surmounted by a singie flower, nod¬ 
ding on one side, thus presenting a 
very graceful appear.ancc. The 
flower is composed of six petals, three 
hanging down and three being erect 
and recurved. The time of flower¬ 
ing depends upon the manner in 
which the plants are grown. 
As generally cultivated the SpreU- 
elia flowers in June or July; the 
bulbs 'being planted in the open 
ground early in May. The border 
should be well enriched and the bu bs 
placed about six inches apart. I he u s 
ripen off by fall when tiiey can be t.aken ui, 
dried, packed in sand, and stored “i a ‘ii y- 
frost-proof cellar until they are . 
planting again. To cultivating t le p i 
this manner there are these objec ion , < 
bloommg at a season when there are s 
other flowers, their and 
bttle appreciated, then agai 
changes of the weather ,,.!(■ ig far 
flowers, so that I tliink on winter 
better to have them bloom dm uio 
and early spring months. ...ntfinn- the 
This can be accomplished ^^fthen 
bulbs about the middle of Oc o .j, 
placing them in a cool, dark ce < ^ fom'- 
desired to Atart them iut® grow 
as when first cut from the plants, 
while the Hoses and nearly all other kinds 
withei-ed. Tills information should be noted 
by those who wisii to send European fi-iends 
American flowers.' 
The floral souvenirs carried away by tlie 
steamers have been very handsome this 
summer. Large satin boots of difl'ereutcoloi-s 
with a cord and tassel at the ankle to tie the 
flowers, have been fashionable foi' bouquet- 
holders. Convenient cases for toilet articles 
to be used in the cabin have been filled for 
parting gifts with blossoms. What is itnown 
as a “.Steamer bag,” containing ni.any pock¬ 
ets, was beautifully anainged with Corn 
flowers, for a farewell present. 
OUR WINDOW BOX. 
Always give ventilation at tlie top of win¬ 
dows, not at the bottom. 
Geraniums, Fred iJorncr and Fred¬ 
die Ileinelareby some of our readers 
considered the best “perpetual bioom- 
ing” varieties. 
Cork dust, such in whicli .Spanish 
Grapes are packed, has been recom¬ 
mended for drain.age of flower-pots, 
as retaining a more uniform moisture, 
and lessening the weigiit of tiie pots. 
Cleanliness cannot be too scrupu- 
louslj' observed witli house plants. 
Thick-leaved plants should be washed 
with tepid water and a sponge, and 
others sprayed wiienever practicable. 
One of the old, exploded notions 
is that plants in living-rooms are un¬ 
healthy. Strong-scented flowers may 
be so. but a single lamp burning in a 
sleeping-room vitiates tiie air more 
than a window full of plants. 
It is not worth the trouble to dig 
iqj old plants that liave bloomed all 
summer, .and pot them in the exitecta- 
tiou of having them bloom all win¬ 
ter too. Young, thrifty plants are 
best for winter-blooming. 
STAPELIA ASTERIAE. 
The popular name Jacobman Lily has beep 
on account of the brilliant scarlet wloi 
given 
of its flowers, 
which the Spaniards in Peru 
H n.mh7resemblcd the scarlet swords worn 
thought ICS . --a-,, of St. James 
by the eueric name Sprekelia 
(Jacob.mus). Ifle » pr. Sprekel, a Ger- 
was given m honot ^i 
man botauisL__ 
steamer FLO'WERS. 
, tiJ.iiturist who recently made the 
^7” fS e to Liverpool, writes that in a 
‘^"P^boluet comprising choice varieties 
mixed juuis, and many well-sc- 
rciu-vsantheinnins, DaL 
,w, wpt u.. entm 
Dielytra or Bleeding Heart is an 
excelient plant for winter-forcing. 
Small clumps should be taken up 
after frost, potted, and kept in a 
cool place luitil they show signs of 
gi'owth, when they may be removed 
to a warmer position. AVhen grow¬ 
ing they require an abundauce.of water. 
Palms, Draeienas, Paud.anus, Ncpeutlies, 
Agaves, Ferns and similar plants are largely 
used ill house decor.atious now, and some 
florists make a specialty of renting such 
plants for an evening, or day, or any time 
desu-ed. Sometimes the plants are insured 
against fire, just like furiiitiu'e. 
A plant, or a stand of flowers, says E. S. 
Hand, is a constant source of picasure ^ in q 
room; it is a spring of sunshine, and its si¬ 
lent influence makes all the household more 
cheerful and better. AVe would have flowers 
in every house, for theu- sunny light, for 
their cheerful teaching, for their insensibly 
ennobling influence. 
