THE TUBEROSE—ITS CULTURE. 



163 



entirely lost. From these large bulbs take 

 off all the small bulblets, as they will not 

 increase the beauty of the plant in the least, 

 for they will not produce spikes, and will 

 only be taking strength from the soil that 

 should be going to the large one. Now 

 take neat boxes, paint them if you so desire, 

 and have them about 12 x 20 inches, and 

 about twelve inches deep. Such a box will 

 hold six largest-sized bulbs. After boring 

 several holes in the bottom, to allow perfect 

 drainage, for the soil must not be allowed to 

 become sour, fill it two-thirds full of a com- 

 post made up of two parts of well-rotted 

 cow manure, one part of rich, sandy loam, 

 and one part leaf mould, if procurable, all 

 well incorporated. Set in the bulbs and 

 then fill to top of box with same compost, 

 packing firmly. Then give the contents of 

 the box a thorough soaking. 



This work should be done during the last 

 week in May or the first week in June. 

 There is no use of doing it earlier as the 

 tuberose loves heat and will make no material 

 advancement until the weather becomes 

 very warm and settled. It is a custom with 

 many to start this bulb in pots in the house. 

 Such a course is not worthy of commenda- 

 tion, for, if anything, the growth will be 

 checked instead of hastened. 



After getting the bulbs boxed, select a 

 warm situation, on the south side of a build- 

 ing, in which to place the boxes, where they 

 may get all the sun and escape cold, north 

 winds. Throughout the season give them 

 an abundance of water every night, and 

 your efforts will be rewarded with success. 

 When once started they will grow rapidly. 

 When blooming time comes, the boxes may 

 be set in any place for exhibition. In the 

 past I have been extremely successful in 

 growing tuberoses in this manner. 



The Excelsior Pearl is the best v-ariety to 

 use. This is a dwarf double variety, and 

 one single flower from a spike will scent a 

 large room. The single variegated-leaved 

 variety is quite popular also. Tuberose 

 bulbs after blooming are useless, as most 

 varieties bloom but once. The small bulbs 

 that grow on the large one may be preserved 

 and grown to blooming size. When in 

 bloom do not allow the spikes to be rubbed 

 together by the winds blowing, as they 

 would soon be ruined. 



There is no reason why every lover of 

 flowers should not succeed with the tuberose. 



' ' There is to me 



A daintiness about these lovely flowers 

 That touches me like poetry." 



Fruitland, Ont. 



John B. Pettit. 



