The principal feature in the growing of this kind of bulb in perfection is, the giving them a distinct season of rest and growth, the former by entirely withholding water for a time. We have now plants not over three or four years old, with as many as eighteen shoots finely breaking forth; perhaps some of these may not come to perfection, but it will be more from want of pot-room than inability of the plant to carry them. They are more generally seen with from two to three stems only. By introducing them to the hothouse at different times, a succession of plants is the result; our earliest bulb has eight shoots, which are fast advancing to flower.

About the first of September, we introduce the first, cutting off the old shoots whether decayed or not; this is highly important, or the shoots will start only one or two at a time, the strongest taking the lead, and starving the remainder to death. Give little if any water, till they begin to break, and as soon as they have nicely started, shake away the old soil pretty clean, not injuring the roots, and repot into the same sized pot. When the roots get well to the outside of the earth, we give them the final shift, depending entirely upon the number of shoots the plant is expected to perfect, as to the additional sized pot the same will require. But it may be safely taken as a rule, that a plant with three shoots only, will have room enough in one size larger; with six shoots, two will not be too many, while. for twelve or eighteen, at least four sizes will not be too much. This kind of potting requires a cautious preparation of the soil as to its mechanical texture, or there will be danger of the soil becoming sodden before the roots can fill it. But with this care it is unquestionably the best mode, as the roots have then perfect freedom without being disturbed by the process of repotting.

When out of flower, and the beauty of the foliage is no object, they may be stood anywhere out of the way, but should not be moved out of the stove till May, after which a sunny place in the greenhouse or pits will do, watering them seldom. By midsummer, lay them on their sides under the stage, selecting the earliest first - the rest, a little while after; give no water till wanted to start again for winter. They can be easily raised by cuttings, leaves, or seed. The soil should be light and friable - two-thirds may be rotten leaves, or the soil from pine barrens; one-third turfy loam, and at least a sixth of the bulk white sand and fine pieces of charcoal.

Cultivation #1

The ground being frequently stirred with horse and cultivator, close to the rows, leaves but a small portion of the ridge between the plants to be loosened with the hoe. As the runners extend and widen the beds, the cultivator is made narrower ; and care being taken to pass along the alleys every time in the same direction, drawing the runners always in one way, will leave them more even and regular than if drawn both ways, by going back and forth in the same alley. The plants then form ridges about eighteen inches wide, with alleys one foot wide between them.

This plan is more certain and reliable than keeping the plants in hills and cutting off the runners. There is less hand labor, most of the cultivation being done by horse-power. And if some of the plants should be destroyed by grubs or insects, there will be enough left to produce a good crop of fruit.