142 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 
After planting, the beds are kept clear of weeds, 
nicely raked and made ready for covering on the approach 
of frost, which usually occurs about the first of Decem- 
ber. The covering is made of reeds, which grow in 
immense quantities on the banks of the canals and 
ditches everywhere found in Holland. The first cover- 
ing is of the partially decayed reeds used the previous 
season ; upon these the new reeds are placed, to the 
depth of several inches, and kept down by means of pegs. 
When the covering is completed the beds are as neat 
and orderly as the ones in which their owners sleep. 
About the first of March, when frost is no longer appre- 
hended, the covering of the beds is taken off, and the 
surface carefully cleaned and raked, after which they 
are watered with a mixture of cow dung and water, 
which forms a light crust, and prevents the wind from 
disturbing the surface of the beds. This is a necessary 
work, as, owing to the lightness of the soil, it would 
drift, when dry, about as freely as snow. The only cul- 
tivation given is to keep the beds clean from weeds until 
the time of flowering, in April. At this time the plants 
are carefully examined, and if, by accident, there should 
be a wrong variety in the bed, it is markea for removal. 
There are no beds of mixed bulbs, of any class whatever, 
grown in Holland, excepting in rare instances, where 
specialists are growing from seed to procure new varie- 
ties. Every variety has its name, and is grown and 
stored in such a systematic manner that there is but 
little chance for a bulb to get out of place. Ji all cases, 
‘‘mixtures,” as quoted in dealers’ catalogues, are made 
up of equal proportions of colors, from bulbs of second 
size, and of inferior quality. Of this more will be writ- 
ten in treating of selection. 
After the bulbs have flowered the flower-stalks are 
cut off, which throws the whole strength of the plant 
into the bulb; the flower spikes are usually thrown into 
