THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



267 



If the situation is low and damp, it 

 would be advisable to raise the bed six or 

 eight inches, to insure good and perfect 

 drainage, which is absolutely essential to 

 success in cultivating the tulip. Tulips 

 should be planted as early as convenient 

 in November ; the early kinds in October, 

 if possible. 



In pots. — Tulips suited for pots should 

 be planted in October, or if required for 

 early forcing, in September. Plant from 

 three to six bulbs in a pot, and treat in a 

 similar manner as recommended for the 

 hyacinth. 



Tulips, either for pots or beds, are 

 amongst the most showy and effective of 

 spring bulbs. 



THE CROCUS. 



Iii open air.— The crocus will suc- 

 ceed in almost any garden, but delights 

 and thrives in a dry situation and a rich 

 light sandy soil. They should be planted 

 in September, or at the latest in October, 

 each bulb three or four inches deep, and 

 in beds, clumps, concentric circles, or 

 " ribbons,' ' with colours contrasted or 

 mixed, according to taste. 



For in-door culture, the first thing of 

 importance to be attended to is, that the 

 bulbs are planted in good time, as early as 

 convenient in September. From six to 

 ten bulbs in a pot will make a good dis- 

 play, and these may be mixed or in 

 separate colours, according to taste. Let 

 them be placed out of doors until Christ- 

 mas, when they may be brought in, but 

 should have all the light and air given 

 them that circumstances will admit of. 

 When they begin to show for bloom they 

 may be brought into the sitting or draw- 

 ing-room, where there may be a fire, but 

 placed near the window, and the result 

 will be a fine display. If more convenient 

 or desirable, being constantly kept in the 

 greenhouse or dwelling-house will answer 

 equally well, provided it be cool, light, 

 and airy ; but disappointment often arises 

 in connection with the growing of this 

 flower, from their being placed in a warm 



room from the time of potting, and the 

 consequence is, the foliage is drawn up to 

 a great length and the bulb produces no 

 flower. 



THE RANUNCULUS. 



Iii beds. — The soil should be retentive 

 of moisture. If the natural soil of a gar* 

 deu be unfavourable, two-thirds of the 

 top spit of a pastiu-e of rather heavy and 

 tenacious qualities, mixed with one-third 

 decayed stable-nvinure, will form an ex- 

 cellent, compost for the main depth of a 

 bed, the top consisting of about two inches 

 of the loam only. The bed should be made 

 about fifteen inches deep. Whatever 

 manure is used, it should be so decom- 

 posed as to appear like black powder. 



The season for planting is the early 

 spring — some time about the end of 

 February is generally the best. First 

 rake the surface of the bed, and with a 

 hoe make drills an inch and a-half deep, 

 and five inches apart. Plant the tubers 

 in these drills four inches apart, pressing 

 them in firmly ; then level the bed in the 

 usual manner. 



In very severe weather, a covering may 

 be found necessary for the bed. To effect 

 this, fix hoops across three or four feet 

 apart, with rods running transversely ; 

 mats thrown over such a framework will 

 serve well for shelter, and also as a screen 

 in very sunny weather when in bloom. 

 Beware, however, of sheltering too much 

 iu early spring — too much covering is 

 more injurious than too little. 



In pots. — The strong growing sorts will 

 in this way produce fine blossoms. Plant 

 two or three roots in a seven-inch pot, in 

 a soil composed of a moderately light 

 loam, to which may be added a sixth part 

 of leaf-mould. If early flowers arc wanted, 

 plant in October, and plunge in ashes in 

 a cold frame ; if otherwise, plant in Feb- 

 ruary, aud plunge the pots to the rim in a 

 warm border. Shortly before flowering, 

 the pots may be taken up, and placed 

 where they will be sheltered from the 

 midday sun. — Hooper and Co., Covent 

 I Garden. 



A PORTABLE GREENHOUSE. 



In the September Number of the Floral 

 World is an article upon portable green- 

 houses ; and as you appear to think a really 

 portable house a thing much to be desired 

 for holders of short leases and tenants at 

 will, I beg to give you a description of one 



I had built to my own instructions, five 

 years ago, and which answers the purpose 

 admirably. I had it set up and in use 

 twelve months in Newcastle, and at the 

 end of that time I removed, had my green- 

 house taken down and carefully packed, 



