« 
Marcu 2, 1903. 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
It 
feet, producing thirty to fifty ivory-white 
bell-shaped flowers. When in bloom is a 
most conspicuous ornament. For decora- 
tive purposes it is most valuable, as it will 
keep a long time in water after being cut. 
Other species will be referred to under 
Muscari. 
The Gladioli, mostly indigenous to 
Southern Europe and South Africa, are 
admirably suited to our climate ; no plants 
can do better. There need be no further 
trouble with them after they are planted, 
as they will remain in the ground and 
flourish for years. From their great rich- 
ness and brilliancy of color they form one 
of the most striking classes of flowers in 
cultivation, continually increasing in popu- 
larity. Of immense variety, not only in 
color and form, but also in season, a grand 
display can be obtained for a great portion 
of the year. Of easy cultivation. No 
soil seems too poor or any situation too 
exposed for them. Special attention, of 
course, is necessary for exhibition speci- 
mens. Are admirably adapted for grow- 
ing singly or grouping, make excellent pot 
plants, and as cut flowers are not to be 
‘surpassed, every flower on a spike even to 
the last bud developing itself when cut and 
placed in water. The number of species 
is probably about fifty, those chiefly grown 
being Blandus, Byzantine, Cardinalis, 
Colvilli, Communis, and Ramosus, but 
growers generally confine ‘themselves to 
hybrids, those of Gandavyensis, itself a 
hybrid between Cardinalis and Psittacnius, 
raised by Van Houtte in 1841, being the 
favorites. From Gandavensis nearly all 
our best varieties have been obtained, but 
of late years other species have been taken 
in hand most successfully, and they are be- 
coming strong rivals of the former 
favorites. The roots if properly harvested 
keep sound and good for a long time, and 
may be planted in succession so as to have 
a supply of blooms for the greater part of 
the year. They may be expected to flower 
in about three to five months from time 
of planting. 
One of, if not the most important, popu- 
Jar, and extensively grown genus of bulbs 
we haye is the Narcissus, and recently be- 
come the most fashionable flower in the 
trade, so much so that the Dutch growers 
have not been able to supply the increased 
demand. Quite hardy, thriving as well 
in the smoky city atmosphere as in the 
ccuntry, and when planted may remain in 
the ground for unlimited time; admirably 
adapted for grassy lawns, the flower bor- 
der, or shrubbery, where they will continue 
to raise their golden and snow-white heads 
for years. Suitable for any soil or situa- 
tion, and very effective in groups or lines, 
yielding an endless amount of cut blooms 
for floral decoration (for which the flowers 
by their habit, beauty, fragrance, and stay- 
Ing powers are especially adapted), with 
little or no trouble, at a time when other 
flowers are most scarce, the finer sorts 
rivalling in size, chasteness, purity, and 
beauty the Pancratium, and even the 
Amazonian Lily itself; whilst others are 
ay sweet and as useful for bouquets and 
wreaths as the Gardenia. Can be most 
highly recommended for pot culture, and 
are improved by forcing. The botanical 
division and sub-divisions of this genus was 
for-a long time in great confusion, no two 
writers being agreed as to the number of 
species. It is now generally fixed at 21, 
and divided into three great groups. 
Group I.—Magni coronate, large crowns, 
including the Hoop Petticoat, and Trum- 
pet sections, comprising many grand showy 
flowers, some of the best being Bicolor, 
B. Empress, B. Horsfeldi, Bulbocodium, 
Lorifolius Emperor, Maximus, Moschatus, 
Princess, and Telemonus among singles ; 
and Pumilus plenus, Capax, Pseudo-Nar- 
cissus, plenus, and Van Sion among 
doubles. Group, Il.—Medii coronate, 
medium crowns, including the lesser Daffo- 
dils and large Jonquils, and comprising 
some of the largest, most elegant, and 
superbly-formed flowers. The whole of 
this group is exceedingly chaste, and of 
late have become very fashionable, some 
ot the best being Calathinus, Incompara- 
bilis, and its varieties, Maclei and Odorus 
single; Incomparable, Orange Phoenix, 
and Sulphur Crown double. Group III. 
—Parvi coronate (True Narcissus), small 
crowns, including the Tazetta or Polyan- 
thus Narcissus, Poeticus, and the minor 
Jonquils. All hardy and free flowers, and 
generally powerfully scented. For bor- 
ders or lawns these cannot be too highly 
recommended, some of the best being 
Bazelman major and minor, Floribundus, - 
Dubius, Poeticus and its varieties, and 
Gracilis among singles; and Double 
Roman, Albus plenus odoratus (Gardenia 
Narcissus) and Double Jonquil among 
doubles. For early-cut flowers Dubius is 
one of the best grown. To grow Narcis- 
sus successfully it is desirable to leave them 
in the ground for several years—in fact, 
the first season after being transplanted 
they do not as a rule flower freely. For 
pot culture and forcing no bulbs can be 
more suitable. The Tazetta section, 
Daffodils, Hoop Petticoats, and Incom- 
parabilis and its varieties, are held in high 
repute for this purpose ; but nearly all are 
quite as suitable. Pot-grown flowers are 
so much more perfect in form and size that 
generally they are scarcely recognisable. 
Three good bulbs in a six-inch or six in an 
eight-inch pot would be most effective. If 
the sorts are such as produce small bulbs 
a greater number may be putin. Great 
numbers are grown singly in four-inch 
pots; they can also be grown in moss or in 
water, similar to Hyacinths, and with less 
trcuble. 
_ Symbol of all that is fair, pure, and 
sweet, the Lily (Lilium) may well be 
termed the queen of flowers. Superbly 
handsome, gorgeous, beautiful, and grand, 
rich and varied in color, of stately habit, 
and deliciously fragrant, they stand out 
most prominent among the generality of. 
bulbs. Although a great number of Lilies 
do fairly well in our gardens they require 
more attention and cultivation than many 
other bulbs, and extremely hot days dis- 
color the blooms. They have, therefore, 
not been grown so extensively as they de- 
serve to be. 
For richness and brilliancy of color the 
Tulip is unsurpassed, and about 200 to 250 
years ago it was the most popular bulb 
grown; in fact, the Tulipomania ran to 
such excess that hundreds of pounds were 
occasionally paid for single bulbs of special 
merit, and many families who were smitten 
with the fever were ruined. Even during 
the past century as much as £300 has 
been paid for a single bulb; but these 
fancy prices have vanished, and good 
flowering bulbs can be had now at prices 
that bring them within the reach of all. 
They are hardy, and require but little 
attention other than mere preparing the 
ground, which should be of a light nature. 
Planted in ribbons, lines, beds, or groups, 
nothing can excel their gorgeous appear- 
ance, consisting of all shades and mixtures 
of colors in violet, crimson, scarlet, rose, 
pink, cerise, yellow, and white. The time 
of planting is from February to April. 
The Tris (Fleur de Lis of the French)—- 
Of unique appearance, almost rivalling the 
Orchids in their gorgeous colors, few 
flowers are more showy or pleasing. Indi- 
genous to various parts of Hurope, Asia, 
and Africa, this family is a large one, the 
most popular species being the English, 
Spanish, and German, although Kempferi 
(comparatively new )is the largest, and pos- 
sibly the most handsome, growing to the 
height of 3 ft., with flowers 5 to 7 in. across. 
Susiana, growing to the height of 2 ft., and 
producing flowers of immense size, greyish 
blue, netted and veined with dark chest- 
nut, is most noble and striking. Pavonia 
(the Vieusseuxia, or Peacock Iris), white, 
with a bright blue spot on each petal, is 
exceedingly pretty and novel, and charm- 
ingly effective in bouquets, vases, kc. : 
well worthy of a place in every garden. 
But to describe all the different genera 
with even a short description is beyond the 
space of an ordinary paper. I will, there- 
fore, simply refer to those best suited for 
general purposes. 
Agapanthus (the Blue African Lily),— 
A. noble plant, suitable for the conserva- 
tory or open border, producing magnificent 
trusses of beautiful blue blooms, rising to 
the height of from 2 to 3 ft.; when in 
bloom is one of the most conspicuous ob- 
jects in the garden. There are many 
varieties, sports generally from Umbella- 
tus, but, excepting the double, they are 
mostly of the normal type, the chief dif- 
ference being in the color. The white 
variety is very elegant, and held in high 
esteem. 
Some of the Ailiums are most beautiful, 
and deserve a place in our borders, but *he 
strong smell of garlic possessed by the 
flowers of some of the species is greatly 
against them for use as cuts. Neapoli- 
tanum is a notable exception, being pure 
white, and almost scentless. It is used in 
immense quantities for bouquets and decs- 
rative purposes, millions of bulbs beirg 
imported into England annually from 
Italy. 
The Amaryllis (derived, from a Greek 
word signifying splendor) includes some of - 
the most richly beautiful of all plants.. The 
