216 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



In the noxt and last place, plant hardy bulbs, because you can't 

 possibly afford to do without them any longer. 



Now for the second part of my subject — What to Plant — and, as 

 my mind runs over the scores of species and hundreds of varieties, 

 each having some point of supreme excellence, it is by no means easy 

 to make a selection. But as I am very desirous that every one shall 

 not only try but succeed with hardy bulbs, I will only specify some of 

 the easiest to grow and the surest to bloom. 



We'll take Tulips to begin with. I know of no difference in cer- 

 tainty to grow and bloom, but though no finer than the common single 

 and double varieties (unless we except the Parrots), the Bizards and 

 Byblooms and Parrots are more uncommon and of more striking ap- 

 pearance. Of Hyacinths, the common single and double, ranging from 

 white to violet purple, the new " Cockade " Hyacinth, and the Muscari, 

 or Grape Hyacinth, are all excellent. Of Narcissus, all the varieties 

 of the common or garden that I have tried ( eight, I believe ) do 

 equally well, and all of the Polyantha family of Narcissi have proved 

 perfectly hardy with me, except " Paper White " and " Double Roman." 

 The Scillas are all perfectly hardy and sure bloomers, and one of them, 

 Scilla Siberica, is the earliest of all out-door flowers. Crocus, Snow- 

 drops and Snow-flakes are equally sure to please. 



Among Lilies it is very difiicult to make a list, there are so many" 

 that it seems impossible to omit. I am growing some forty-odd varie- 

 ties, and scarcely know how to name a dozen that I think better than 

 others ; but for hardiness, abundance of bloom, beauty and cheapness 

 combined, I will try and name a dozen or so. The Tiger, both single 

 and double, Croceum, Auratum, Candidum, Longiflorum, Pardilinum, 

 Wallacei, and three or four leading varieties each of Speciosum, Marta- 

 gon and Thunbergianum. There are many much higher priced, as 

 Parryi, Excelsum, Giganteum, Browni, Dalmaticum and others, which 

 are in no respect finer than those already named. 



Lastly, how to plant hardy bulbs. This branch of the subject sub- 

 divides into three items : place, time and manner. As to place, any 

 soil that would be suitable and in fit condition to grow potatoes, pea- 

 nuts, parsnips and other peas, you may be sure will do for hardy bulbs. 

 The good underdrainage is an absolute necessity for lilies. In this 

 latitude hardy bulbs will bear a good deal of shade. 



The time of planting is a much more important consideration. 

 Owing to their peculiar habits of growth, autumn is the only time they 

 can be planted with any success, except some lilies, which do well if 

 set very early in the spring. The Tulips, Hyacinths, Narcissi, Scillas, 

 Crocus, and many others cease growth, and the tops and roots die in 



