454 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 



pleted it is advisable to plant close to the margin a line of Crocus, in- 

 serting them 3 inches apart. The Crocus will be the first to make a 

 feature in the spring, and will continue to impart a lively effect to the 

 bed up to the period when the Hyacinths bloom. 



When the fiower-stems reach a height which endangers them being 

 broken by rain or wind, they should be supported by means of short 

 stakes. These should reach no further than the base of the flower- 

 spike. And when the flowers have withered lose no time in remov- 

 ing the flower-stems, but preserve the foliage to the last moment you 

 can allow them to occupy the bed, which will in a great measure 

 favour the ripening of the roots. 



Culture in pots. — Those intended for early forcing should be 

 planted as soon as they can be obtained from the nurseryman, and 

 instead of plunging them in the usual manner out of doors, have them 

 packed beneath a stage in a rather close greenhouse or frame, sifting 

 some coal-ashes over them to protect the bulb from drying. Give no 

 water for the succeeding ten days, then enough to wet the entire ball. 

 Observe that all the bulbs are planted firmly into the soil, and suffi- 

 ciently deep to prevent them being started out of the soil when the 

 roots protrude from the bulb in a body, as they naturally do. This 

 is prevented by examining them daily, and pressing firmly down those 

 that show a disposition to start from their bed. The soil to be pre- 

 ferred for early forcing ought to be light, rich, and porous, while 

 the pots ought to be not larger than 5 inches in diameter, well 

 drained, and the soil made rather firm. Allow the plants to advance 

 in growth, enough to fill the balls with roots before putting them 

 into the forcing-house ; and should the young crowns be in any degree 

 blanched, by being covered or shaded, shade them partially the suc- 

 ceeding week after being put in to force. When forcing is com- 

 menced, the temperature ought not to be above 50° at night, with 

 a slight rise of heat in the day-time, allowing a few degrees more 

 weekly as the plants advance in growth, making 60° the maximum, 

 with moderate ventilation. Water abundantly both by means of the 

 syringe over head and supplies at the root, never once permitting the 

 soil to indicate dryness in the least. Place the plants as close to the 

 glass as available, and turn them round now and then, to prevent the 

 stems getting twisted, which will also materially assist the uniform 

 expansion and colouring of the pips. When their flower-stems are 

 somewhat advanced, secure them by means of inserting stout wires, 

 that have been previously sharpened at the points, into the centre of 

 the bulbs. This insures handsomer plants than when clumsy stakes 

 are stuck in outside the bulbs, and is harmless to the plants also. 

 Plants that are intended for successional blooming need not be put 



