Page:The Amateur's Greenhouse and Conservatory.djvu/100

92 and lumps of charcoal can be conveniently obtained they should be mixed with the crocks. In any case, the drainage must be covered with a layer of the roughest portion of the compost, to prevent the finer parts running down between the potsherds.

With a drainage such as is here advised the most liberal supplies of water will be required from the time they are fairly in full growth until they begin to go out of bloom. As the flowers fade the supply of water must be lessened, and as the stems decay it should be withheld. The soil, however, must not be allowed to become dust-dry even during the winter, and a moderate quantity of water must be given at intervals to maintain the soil in a nice moist condition. From the time the pots are well filled with roots until the buds are formed, rather weak liquid manure should be used alternately with clear soft water, or very weak liquid manure may be used at all times.

When in growth, a greenhouse or pit where they can be placed near the glass and enjoy a free circulation of air will be the most suitable position; or they may be placed in the open air until the buds begin to expand. During the winter a cold frame, with just sufficient protection to keep the frost from the bulbs, will be the most desirable quarter for them. All kinds of lilies love sunshine, though it is generally believed they love the shade.

.&mdash;The Golden Flax, L. flavum, is very showy, and when strong plants with well-matured growth are placed in an intermediate house at the beginning of February, they bloom profusely early in the spring, and are then very desirable. The directions given for the management of the double wallflowers may be advantageously followed in the cultivation of the Golden Flax.

.&mdash;The herbaceous Lobelia is one of the most useful plants we have for conservatory decoration. It is doubly valuable to amateurs who have little room for wintering plants, because it is nearly hardy, and the stock can be preserved in a cold frame, or plunged in a bed of coal-ashes. The plants that have embellished, during summer, the open borders, can be lifted and placed in a dry corner out of doors, and covered with coal-ashes; and if protected from heavy rains