features 1s that all Lycoris have black seeds 
while all true nerines have green seeds. 
DESCRIPTION 
Our improved hybrid nerines are in the ad- 
vanced stages of perfection. They are beautiful; 
they have interesting forms, exquisite colors 
and lasting qualities. The flowers are born 
in clusters or umbells of six to twenty-four 
funnel-shaped blooms on a single stem. The 
flower spikes are from four to six inches in 
diameter. The stems are from twelve to 
eighteen inches in length. The perianth seg- 
ments of the flower glisten as if the entire 
surface were set with tiny mirrors giving a 
sparkling brilliance — they dazzle in the sun- 
light or artificial light as if they were dusted 
with small particles of gold and silver. 
They range in color from scarlet through 
salmon, coral rose, pink to blush and white, 
often adorned with a stripe down the center 
of the petal. Some petals appear as though 
they had a permanent wave; they are the 
dream of the flower enthusiast in delicacy and 
perfection. As cut flowers the nerine is unex- 
celed for keeping qualities — when associated 
with light graceful foliage as maidenhair ferns 
they lend themselves to beautiful arrange- 
ments. They bloom during the months of Sep- 
tember to November, coming at a time when 
other flowers are scarce. Because of their 
sturdiness, keeping qualities and lustre, they 
are the pride of the florist in making corsages. 
Foliage follows blooming and consists of 
about six narrow leaves to the bulb, varying 
from eight to eighteen inches in length. Bulbs 
range in size from one-half inch to two inches 
in diameter, depending upon age and care. 
CULTURE 
The nerine is a long-lived bulb — it is easily 
grown — it is propagated by seed and offsets. 
It requires four years from seed to grow into 
a flowering bulb. The offsets, bulblets or side 
shoots from mature bulbs flower in two to three 
years. They may be separated from the parent 
bulb during their dormant period by removing 
top two inches of soil, rubbing off bulblets, 
then replacing with fresh soil — the parent 
bulbs not being disturbed. 
The flowers are readily hybridized and with 
systematic crossing, patience and care, many 
new varieties with superior qualities of color 
and lustre will result. 
The secret of success with nerines is to secure 
the fullest possible development of the bulbs. 
The nerine likes good drainage and a com- 
post of sandy loam with a little peat or leaf- 
mould. They flower much better if not given 
to much space — in other words, three or four 
bulbs to a seven-inch pot, or when planted in 
