Saving seed requires great attention in India, as it should be taken during the hot weather if possible; to effect which the earliest blossoms must be preserved for this purpose.  With some kinds it will be advisable to assist nature by artificial impregnation with a camel hair pencil, carefully placing the pollen on the point of the stigma.  The seeds should be carefully dried in some open, airy place, but not exposed to the sun, care being afterwards taken that they shall be deposited in a dry place, not close or damp, whence the usual plan of storing the seeds in bottles is not advisable.

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BULBS.

Bulbs have not as yet received that degree of attention in this country (India) that they deserve, and they may be considered to form a separate class, requiring a mode of culture differing from that of others.  Their slow progress has discouraged many and a supposition that they will only thrive in the Upper Provinces, has deterred others from attempting to grow them, an idea which has also been somewhat fostered by the Horticultural Society, when they received a supply from England, having sent the larger portion of them to their subscribers in the North West Provinces.

The NARCISSUS will thrive with care, in all parts of India, and it is a matter of surprise that it is not more frequently met with.  A good Narcissus should have the six petals well formed, regularly and evenly disposed, with a cup of good form, the colors distinct and clear, raised on strong erect stems, and flowering together.

The Polyanthes Narcissus, N. tazetta, Narjus, hur’huft nusreen, is of two classes, white and sulphur colored, but these have sported into almost endless varieties, especially amongst the Dutch, with whom this and most other bulbs are great favorites.  It flowers in February and March.

The Poet’s Narcissus, N. poeticus, Moozhan, zureenkuda is the favorite, alike for its fragrance and its delicate and graceful appearance, the petals being white and the cup a deep yellow:  it flowers from the beginning of January to the end of March and thrives well.  The first within the recollection of the author, in Bengal, was at Patna, nearly twelve years since, in possession of a lady there under whose care it blossomed freely in the shade, in the month of February.

The Daffodil, N. pseudo-narcissus, Khumsee buroonk, is of pale yellow, and some of the double varieties are very handsome.

Propagation is by offsets, pulled off after the bulbs are taken out of the ground, and sufficiently hardened.

Soil, &c.—­The best is a fresh, light loam with some well rotted cow dung for the root fibres to strike into, and the bottom of the pot to the height of one-third filled with pebbles or broken brick.  They will not blossom until the fifth year, and to secure strong flowers the bulbs should only be taken up every third year.  An eastern aspect where they get only the morning sun, is to be preferred.  The PANCRATIUM is a handsome species that thrives well, some varieties being indigenous, and others fully acclimated, generally flowering about May or June.