BULBS 119 
will be better and healthier with the maximum 
amount of fresh air compatible with a sufficiently 
high temperature. 
The plants thus brought into water, light and 
warmth, will grow with remarkable rapidity. Just 
as the first buds are opening out is the ideal time to 
use them as presents, as they will continue subjects 
of daily attraction for a long time. Those that are 
kept can be saved, either to plant out or use another 
year. Let the soil gradually dry out when they 
are through blooming, and when the tops are dead 
take the bulbs from the soil, clean them and store 
in a perfectly dry place, or in boxes, in dry sand. 
The colors and other qualities of the many varie- 
ties of hyacinths, narcissi and tulips will be found 
described in the fall catalogues of all the best seed- 
houses. 
As before stated, hyacinths, tulips, narcissi and 
freesias are the most readily forced and the most 
satisfactory bulbs. The beginner will do well, for 
his first attempt, to confine himself to these. There 
are, however, several more that respond to practi- 
cally the same treatment, and whose various types 
of beauty will repay handsomely the trouble of forc- 
ing them. 
Ixias and sparaxias are two more of the Cape 
group easily forced and well worth growing. They 
like a cool temperature, 35 to 40 degrees at night, 
even after having been brought in. They should 
