IRISH GARDENING 



131 



Planting Bulbs. 



Despite tlie still urgent need to devote as much 

 space as possible to food crops, it is more than 

 likely that some ];ortion of our larger gardens 

 may still be available for planting bulbs and 

 other so called '' roots,"" though on a much- 

 restricted scale and strictly with a view of 

 keeping stock. There are often situations which 

 it would not pay to labour sufficiently to produce 

 good crops of vegetables, but which with little 

 preparation may be rendered suitable for growing 

 of bulbs in view of better times ahead. 



as A. nemorosa and its numerous varieties, 

 A. appenina and A. blanda, the Wood Ginger, 

 A. ranunculoides, may be planted now in woods 

 and shrubberies where they will not interfere 

 with production. 



The stately and beautiful Eremuri, while 

 requiring good treatment in the way of deep, 

 well-drained soil, may be easily accommodated 

 by preparing suitable stations among dwarf 

 shrubs in a sunny position. 



Musearis, too, or, as they are commonly called, 

 Grape Hyacinths, are beautiful naturalised 

 under trees and on grassy banks. The popular 



Cuocus Impkuati albidus. 



Practically all the well known bulbous and 

 tuberous plants are better got in as early as 

 possible, and with some it is imperative that 

 this should be done. Autumn and winter- 

 flowering species of Crocuses should not be longer 

 delayed, as some of the earlier kinds are due to 

 flower soon, such as the beautiful Crocus 

 spe3iosus and others which flower in autumn. 

 Colchicums, too, so often erroneously called 

 autumn Crocuses, shoidd be got in at once. 

 Among the most attractive of these are Col- 

 chicuin speciosum rubrum, C. giganteum, C 

 Bormuelleri, C. speciosum album, C. autumnale 

 album plenum, &c. 



The lovely spring-flovvering Anemones, such 



variety called Heavenly Blue is probably the 

 best for general purposes. It makes a delightful 

 edging to a shrub bed, and can be used effectively 

 in all sorts of places not suitable for more 

 utilitarian things ; so, too, the Winter Aconites, 

 Eranthis hyemalis and Eranthis cilicicus, are 

 beautiful, coming ujd in odd corners under 

 shrubs very early in the new year. Snowdrops 

 cannot be omitted, so welcome are they peeping 

 forth in the still cold days of February and 

 March ; under trees and shrubs they often find 

 a congenial home, or they maj^ be planted among 

 hardy Ferns, and will look charming among the 

 brown fronds of the Ferns, which should be left 

 on through the winter. If Spanish Squills — 



