500 THE GARDENER. [Nov. 



sloping suddenly from the wall to the walk all the better. As the 

 winter approaches, the safety of the bulbs will be in a greater measure 

 secured by covering with mats or dry litter, until they have estab- 

 lished their roots in the soil. 



Formation of beds, and planting flowering hidhs. — In the first place 

 the beds ought to be lined off, and the soil, if not considered suitable, 

 taken out 10 inches deep. Then manure the new-made surface, and 

 dig down the manure. Then lay on a stratum of equal portions cow- 

 manure, that has been in preparation by being stored up for a couple 

 of years, and virgin loam, not too heavy. Lay on a body of this 

 material 1 2 inches deep, and over this spread a covering of 3 inches of 

 garden soil. In forming the bed it ought, when completed, to have 

 the centre raised a few inches higher than the edges ; and the whole — 

 from the material added — will raise the bed considerably above the 

 ground-level, which is required to assist in warding off a portion of the 

 heavy rainfalls which are naturally to be expected during winter. 

 Plant out the bulbs early in November, choosing a dry day for the 

 operation. Commence operations by dressing the surface with a rake, 

 preserving the rounded form of the bed. Line the bed into divisions 

 7 inches apart, and plant the bulbs along the lines at the same dis- 

 tance. Use for making the holes a dibbler rather blunt and rounded 

 than one too sharp. Make the holes wide enough to afford the bulbs 

 easy accommodation, and making insertions at the least 3 inches deep. 

 Next drop in the bulbs, bases downwards, and cover them with a little 

 sharp sand before finally filling in the holes with a general covering 

 of H inches leaf-mould and sand. Conclude the business meantime by 

 raking off neatly, and extending hoops across the beds to support a 

 covering of mats, when it is necessary to apply them as a protection in 

 severe weather. 



After-culture. — It is as essential that the beds have the benefit of 

 every ray of sunlight in the absence of frost as it is important to pro- 

 tect them in severe frost, wind, or rains. In short, avoid covering un- 

 less compelled through the inclemency of the weather. These direc- 

 tions comprise all that is required during winter and early spring, 

 excepting stirring the soil when it inclines to being crusty, and keeping 

 free of weeds. 



When the buds begin to display colour, it is time to consider about 

 an awning of thin canvas being placed over the beds, so that the blos- 

 soms may be effectually protected from sun and wind — at the same time, 

 as a matter of course, making a provision so as to preserve free ventil- 

 ation, that air circulate constantly among the plants. This canvas 

 ought to be fijxed on rollers, so that it may be effectually lifted off the 

 plants in dull days. Finally, when the glory of the bloom is past, 



