WINTER MEETING AT LEBANON. 301 



to do with the price, frequently a poor flower will bring a higher price 

 than a better variety that increases more rapidly. For the open border, 

 second sized bulbs are better, not simply because they are cheaper, but 

 they are better because they will not break up in small bulbs, while the 

 large or so-called first-class bulbs break into many parts the second 

 year, and then give only small spikes, if any. For general effect would 

 advise planting what are termed " bedding Hyacinths," which are small 

 sized bulbs of the standard varieties. Hyacinths for glasses or pots 

 should be of the first size, as they never bloom afterward, their strength 

 being all thrown into the flower of the present year. Bulbs that have 

 been grown in pots may be made to bloom in the open border a second 

 year, but the spikes are smaller. 



A fine display of tulips can be had with little expense, by buying 

 mixed bulbs ; and for garden decoration they are very effective. If 

 Tibbon lines or masses of a different color are desired, named varieties 

 must be selected in order to secure harmony in the arrangements of 

 color. 



HOW TO PLANT. 



Hyacinths should be planted four inches deep, tulips and narcissus 

 three inches, crocuses two inches ; the bulbs can remain where planted 

 for a number of years, but should be taken up every two or three years 

 and freshly planted. After the bulbs are done flowering in the spring, 

 remove the dead tops, work over the ground and plant small growing 

 annals, such as verbenas, phlox drumondiior many others. The object 

 of planting such plants is to shade the soil in our hot, dry summers. 

 Narcissus are perfectly hardy after they become established, and should 

 remain for many years undisturbed ; in fact they do much better after 

 having been planted several years. 



The snowdrop is another persistant grower, and if allowed to 

 remain where once planted, will drive even the grass out. It, with the 

 crocus, should have some warm cozy corner by the house, where, if out 

 of reach of cold winter, it will come into flower early in March, an unmis- 

 takable evidence that spring has come. 



AFTER CULTURE. 



After the bulbs are properly planted, as soon as cold weather sets 

 in, cover the beds with some kind of mulch and they will make a good 

 growth of roots during the early part of winter. In the latter part of 

 February, take the mulch off, and as soon as the plants show above 

 ground, work the soil when it is dry and in due time your labors will 

 be rewarded with a fine display of bloom. Everybody having a small 

 garden should have a bulb bed, for they don't cost much and are so 



