538 EXPERIMEXrAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



the situation in the latter half of the month of May. That is. it has been found that 

 the blooming season of the tulips has been considerably lengthened by the addition of 

 this section. The experiments now being conducted, and which are a continuation of 

 work along similar lines in the past in connection with these flowers, aim to obtain 

 information along the following lines: The hardiness of the bulbs, the length of the 

 bloomi)ig season, displaj^ effect, usefulness as border plants when left growing in the 

 same place for several years, summer treatment of the bulbs, etc. 



When all the merits of this group of flowers are considered, it is not to be won- 

 dered at that of the hundreds of thousands of bulbs grown in Canada, millions in the 

 United States, and tens of millions in Europe, many thousands of them in many parts 

 and colours may be found growing at the Central Experimental Farm at Ottawa. In 

 the autumn of every" year they are planted to make, in the following spring, what is 

 perhaps one of the most gorgeous displays of colour that it is possible to create. Eacb 

 year the various types of bulbs are becoming more popular in Canada, and frequent 

 inquiries are received at the Central Farm regarding their culture. 



When the word " bulb " is mentioned, there immediately comes to the mind, 

 masses of gay tulips in beds and borders, and patches of white and golden narcissi in 

 lawn and woodland. The range and brightness of the colours of the tulip are not 

 equalled perhaps in the whole of the floral year. After the long, colourless winter, 

 they appeal to man's primal love of rich colours, in a degree seldom equalled by the 

 beautiful flowers of later seasons. 



Under bulbs may be classed about fifty to sixty different genera of plants, but of 

 this number, the tulip and narcissi rank first and second, with perhaps lilies, crocuses, 

 snowdrops and gladioli following fairly closely, while hyacinths, freesias, blue-bells 

 and glory-of-the-snow find greater welcome, as worthy companions of these favourites, 

 every year. 



EASY TO GROW. 



The fact that some of our finest flowers are to be found amongst these bulbous- 

 plants is apparent to even a novice in the art of floriculture. And it is encouraging to 

 an amateur gardener to know that most bulbs are very easy to grow successfully. This 

 is due to the fact that when a good grade of bulb is bought, a good plant is practically- 

 assured. The size and quality of the bulb determine the resulting flower, and the only 

 skill, if such it may be called, that is required by the grower is to put it into a medium 

 in which it may develop its enclosed flower or flowers. Xo amount of care or high 

 culture will add more spikes of bloom to a hyacinth, or flowers to a daffodil, than were 

 formed when the bulb was growing the previous spring in Holland. Holland is the 

 country where most of them are grown, and consequently, they are often called 

 " Dutch bulbs." 



REQUIREMENTS OF THE BULB. 



Given then, a good bulb, what has to be done in order to get it to develop into a 

 good plant? Its requirements in regard to soil, moisture, and manure, are of the- 

 simplest kind. 



First, as to soil, all bulbs generally do best and most varieties require a soil 

 through which water can pass with reasonable freedom, or, in other words, the soil 

 should not remain soggy, as such soil will suffocate the plant. If the soil is soggy,, 

 it must be drained and some sand and coarse manure added to it. 



Second, as to moisture, most bulbs require plenty of water, and hardly too much 

 can be given when the soil is of the right texture; this is especially true with regard 

 to the period just before blooming. If the soil is right in texture, the water in passing 



Ott.\w.^. 



