290 THE FLOEAL WOKLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



the stage of a greenhouse, not even being particular as to the 

 darkness, and yet not suffering any inconvenience, so far as we could 

 judge. The principal object is to keep tbe plant from being excited 

 to grow above, until the roots have formed. We have not convinced 

 ourselves of the benefit of darkness in protecting the upper growth ; 

 nor does burying them prevent it, because we have seen the shoots 

 two or three inches long when taken up from their tan or sawdust 

 bed. All we care about is putting them out of our way in a cool 

 place for a time ; and whether dark or light does not trouble us. 

 According to the time you wish them to be in bloom, so you remove 

 them to a warmer berth. One season, we plunged our pots into the 

 ground in an open bed, and had as fine a bloom as ever, with only 

 the precaution of keeping the sun off", that they might not be urged 

 into flower till we required them. When they once begin to grow, 

 they require a liberal supply of water ; and as we approach the 

 showing time, we may hasten them, if necessary, by the removal to 

 the greenhouse or stove; and as the early tulips ought to be in 

 perfection at the same time, we must regulate by putting the most 

 backward into a little warmth. The object is strength and dwarfi- 

 ness, which can be best secured by light and air; consequently, 

 those grown in the open air will^ be the finest and least drawn. 

 If grown under glass, the nearer they are kept to the glass the 

 better, and a frame or pit is far better than a greenhouse. Narcissus 

 requires the same care and treatment, and the same soil. Although 

 there may be some difference in the season of bloom of these 

 things, when all are allowed their own way, we can, by sheltering 

 the forwardest, or even warming the most backward, easily bring 

 them all in together. Those who intend, therefore, to compete with 

 bulbs, should buy early, and of a respectable house — avoid auctions, 

 above all modes of buying. We know that when the respectable 

 London orders are made up, the refuse bulbs are bought up by 

 jobbers, who make up for the London auctions ; and the finest- 

 looking roots, that any novice would admire, may be, and often are, 

 unsound. We are, therefore, never safe without buying of respect- 

 able dealers. 



With regard to the proper sorts, the dealer will be the best 

 judge, and, more or less, we must trust to his honour. Let him 

 know the colours you want, and the season you wish them to bloom — 

 for some hyacinths and tulips are nearly a month earlier than others 

 — pay him the price, and you may calculate on a successful issue. 

 Go to a sale, and it is a chance if you have a bloom at all ; but it is a 

 certainty that you have not a good one. When the flowers begin 

 t) show their colours, shelter them from the mid-day sun, but do not 

 exclude light ; the most flimsy shade will do to prevent burning. 



