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Home Nature-Study Course. 



Getting the ground ready for bulbs. 



seed catalogs are cheaper than named 

 varieties is not due to the fact that 

 the bulbs are of a cheap or bargain- 

 counter grade. The named varieties 

 are sometimes new or rare, either of 

 which reasons would account for a 

 higher price. Every seedsman and 

 nurseryman knows the vigilance 

 necessary to keep varieties separate, 

 and vigilance costs. To the novice 

 it may seem a simple thing to do, but 

 a little experience will lead him to 

 think dififerently. The frecjuency 

 with which he will find a black sheep 

 in a white sheep's pen may cause him 

 to suspect that varieties are capable 

 of absconding from one plot to another. The average buyer of bulbs 

 cares but little for varieties, but if he can secure certain colors he is 

 satisfied. He will get much more for his money if he orders by color, 

 leaving to the seedsman the choice of such varieties as have the colors 

 desired. 



Indnndnal characteristics of fall bulbs. 



The Snozvdrop. — This is a simple flower and so modest that it would 

 receive scant attention if its period of bloom came in competition with the 

 gorgeous flowers of midsummer. It comes at a season when it has the 

 monopoly of all the applause. Snowdrops may be planted in the sod of 

 the lawn, where they make a good display when not hidden by late snows. 

 With me they disappear after a season or two. For the small area of 

 children's gardens, snowdrops should be massed by planting an inch apart 

 in the rows, and sometimes two rows three inches apart. Such diminu- 

 tive plants should be assembled in crowds rather than be scattered. They 

 may be planted as a border or under shrubbery when the soil has good 

 drainage. The i)icture shows a boy skinning away the sod under a bar- 

 berry bush. He will next loosen the soil six inches deep before planting. 

 The bulbs will have about finished their season's work before the barberry 

 begins its growth and the latter cannot, therefore, monopolize the moist- 

 ure, plant-food, or the sunshine. The price of snowdrop bulbs when sent 

 by mail is about 20 cents per dozen or, a dollar per hundred. For depth 

 see diagram. 



The Crocus. — Close on the heels of the snowdrop comes the crocus, 

 much larger in size and having a fair range in coloring. Like the snow- 

 drop, the crocus may be planted in the lawn, but when so planted must 

 be supplemented with new ones every second year. The first lawn 



