242 THE FLORIST. 



BULBS FROM THE CAPE. 



There are not many possessors of gardens who have not rejoiced at 

 the reception of a box of Cape bulbs ; and there are not many gar- 

 deners who have not evinced an opposite condition of mind at the 

 same occurrence. The bare mention of " bulbs from abroad" is, as a 

 general rule, sufficient to disturb the equanimity of any knight of the 

 pruning-knife in the three kingdoms. Let any gentleman, elated 

 with the morning's epistolary announcement, that a case of the 

 plants in question is on its way from " abroad," despatched with the 

 greatest care, as a present from his honourable friend Captain So-and- 

 So, announce the fact to his gardener, and if the latter has not an 

 admirable command over the expression of his features, they will 

 quickly assume the cast known to certain physiognomists as "the 

 blues ;" and not without reason. The majority of bulbs received 

 from the source named, and which gardeners are for ever being pes- 

 tered with, should on their arrival be thrown to the rubbish-heap ; 

 and if the recipients are not adepts in the endurance of hopes de- 

 ferred, they would consult their peace of mind by adopting the prac- 

 tice. There are exceptions, but the general condition of such arrivals 

 warrants the advice given. 



It would be difficult to visit the greenhouses of any establish- 

 ment, limited or extensive, without meeting with quantities of bulbs 

 either not cared for at all, or thrust into some out-of-the-way corner, 

 and merely recognised as denizens of the place. Should you be 

 tempted to make any inquiries in reference to them, the substance 

 of the replies will be, that they were received two, three, or perhaps 

 ten years ago from the Cape, and that they have never flowered, but 

 they are said to be very beautiful things. Now, the fact is, that 

 very few plants of the kind reaching this country from casual travel- 

 lers or from non-gardening residents ever do flower, unless they 

 happen to fall into the hands of those who are conversant with the 

 probable facts of their history, and take the necessary steps to effect 

 the desired consummation. Li the majority of cases a considerable 

 amount of care is bestowed for one, or perhaps two years. No 

 flower rewards the trouble taken, enthusiasm lags, attention is with- 

 held, neglect follows, and the bare means for vegetation is all the 

 unlucky exiles can hope for for the future ; they are tolerated, not 

 encouraged. 



While gardeners, from repeated experience, know very well what 

 to expect from these presents of bulbs, they do not always attribute 

 the scanty results to the right causes. They tell you that such and 

 such kinds are difficult to flower, not caring to recollect that the 

 plants are not in a condition to do so, and the only means by which 

 they are to be brought into that condition are withheld before the 

 required results are realised. 



In the countries from whence such plants are procured, are per- 

 sons who dig up bulbs for the same purpose as a notable personage, 

 often made mention of, is said to have made his razors — to sell, and 



