THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 293 



and hyacinths mixed with the crocuses, that when the latter are off, 

 it m&y still be attractive. But probably the borders will generally 

 be preferred to separate beds, and then the following plan will be 

 found advantageous. 



Let the outer row be composed of crocuses, the next of hyacinths, 

 and the third, or inner row, of tulips. You need not be afraid of 

 planting too thickly, but let there be two or three inches space 

 between each kind of bulb. The crocuses will be off the bloom by 

 the time the hyacinths are in their prime, and the foliage, long and 

 pendent, of the former will make a pretty fringed border for the 

 latter. Oval or round beds have a fine effect when planted in this 

 way ; the beauty is prolonged, and the whole may be cleared away 

 in time for the spring bedding-out of the greenhouse exotics. In 

 planting, dig a trench about four inches deep around the bed, and 

 as wide as you require it. Let the bottom be well loosened, and 

 then place the bulbs in order upon it. Cover with about half an 

 inch of rotten leaf-mould and saud, if you have prepared any such 

 precious compost, and then return the mould first thrown out. 

 During the winter be careful of the ravages of mice, for they often 

 devour thousands of crocuses and tulips before they are observed. 

 The crocuses may be mixed, or planted in alternate rows of various 

 colours. The same plan may be pursued with the hyacinths. 



For planting in the open air, purchase the mixed sorts, sold at 

 three shillings a dozen, single and double white, red, and blue. 

 These mixtures generally contain many fine sorts. Snowdrops, 

 crown imperials, narcissus, etc., may be placed in clumps in various 

 parts of the beds, bordered in the manner just described, and, thus 

 furnished, wait with patience till the first warm suns of spring call 

 your beauties above the ground. 



INDIGOFERA DECORA. 



IPsF^IHIS is an exceedingly useful plant for decorative pur- 

 poses. It soon forms a large specimen, and flowers 

 abundantly for several months in succession. Cuttings 

 made of short-jointed bits of young wood in a half-ripe 

 state (which are readily obtained from growing plants 

 in autumn), inserted in light sandy soil, and set in a close place, 

 soon emit roots, and may be allowed to remain in the cutting pot 

 until spring, or potted off and established in small pots, as may be 

 most convenient. 



In February, or as early in spring as convenient, place the young 

 plants in a moist growing temperature of from 50° to 60 p , and 

 sprinkle them frequently with the syringe, to induce them to start 

 into growth. As soon as active growth commences see to the state 

 of the roots, and give a liberal shift, if the pots are moderately filled 

 •with healthy roots, say into pots two sizes larger ; but unless the 

 roots are in an active state, defer potting until such is the case. 

 Apply water cautiously for a fortnight or bo, until the roots lay 



October. 



