The Amaryllis is a plant which deserves a greater amount of attention in the Southern States than is usually accorded it. The hybrid, A. Johnsonii, is an old inhabitant of the gardens in the South. Other varieties are not often met with. The reason for this is perhaps, besides, that many are as yet high-priced plants; that it is not generally known that all of them are hardy, if planted in places not too wet. There may, however, be a few varieties which it will be difficult to bloom in the garden. Chiefly among these I will mention the belladonna varieties and a few others. The above-named kind takes its season of growth from November to May, and is in consequence, often cut back in winter by sharp frosts, which prevents the plants from getting strong enough to flower. I believe, however, that it will do well wherever the Orange is cultivated. The other varieties and species succeed splendidly with me. The bulbs ought to be planted in pots to start them in, which, if it is done early in September, will sometimes bring them to bloom in six weeks. During winter they must be kept from freezing, and in spring, after blooming, they may be set out in the border, and provided they have a covering of 4 or 5 inches of soil over the bulb, will never be killed, either by frost, drought or hail.

Their flowering season is in April here in Texas, but in the summer of 1884 I have had some in bloom in every month from April to September. I have cultivated many kinds of plants, but with no kind have I experienced so little disappointment as with the Amaryllis; in fact I have not lost a single plant. It is subjected to no disease, no insects attack it, and the possessor of a bulb, or a few, may expect in course of time a moderate increase by side bulbs.

Eor the information of those who are unacquainted with the merits of the different varieties and species I will name a few that have done well with me in the garden. There is, first, that old variety, A. Johnsonii, found in many gardens in the South. Amaryllis pardina is just as free blooming as the preceding; in fact, my plant produced three flower spikes the last season. Amaryllis etoile, white with red stripes, Amaryllis psittacina, Amaryllis fidelia, Amaryllis astrosan-guinea, the best dark red Amaryllis, Prince of Orange, and a host of others, most of which will do admirably in the garden; and the cultivation of this plant ought to be more extensive, as there are but few Lilies that will do in the South and the Amaryllis takes naturally the place of the former in the garden. Austin, Texas.

[We welcome these efforts to encourage Southern gardening. In the Editor's travels through the South at various times, the glorious capabilities for gardening that laid unimproved were remarkable. This suggestion of the great value of the Amaryllis as a popular Southern flower should be improved on. - Ed. G. M].