396 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



knows how handy are tin cans for the same purpose. Bulbs can also be grown 

 and bloomed in wire baskets lined with moss if care is taken to give sufificient 

 moisture. Window boxes are also desirable receptacles for them. Bulbs which 

 have bloomed in water are so far exhausted that they are not worth further 

 attention, but potted bulbs, after blooming, can be cared for until they finish 

 their growth, which may be known by the leaves turning yellow. When this 

 appearance first manifests itself less water should be supplied, until at last the 

 plants are allowe'd to become dry and dormant. Then they can be planted in 

 the garden, to be left permanently. 



After rooting bulbs in a cool and dark place, which is a necessity in order 

 to secure vigorous blooming, the next consideration is to provide them with a 

 place where they will have a good exposure to the sun, and at the same time a 

 temperature comparatively low. A heat as near 50? to ^s° as can be maintained 

 is best. It may be somewhat higher in strong sunshine and somewhat lower on 

 cold nights. On mild days they should have the fresh air by opening a window. 

 A high temperature and close air will cause them to grow spindling and feeble. 

 Most bulbous plants require plenty of water during active growth and blooming, 

 and a failure of the supply will shorten their season of beauty. 



Great quantities of tulips, hyacinths and crocuses are planted in beds and 

 borders, and even while the weather is still cold, and before the leaves appear on 

 the trees and shrubs, these brilliant hued flowers make the gardens bright and 

 pleasant. They are planted in solid masses of contrasting colors, in lines of 

 different shades, in simple geometrical figures, or in more complicated designs. 

 A piece of well-drained, light and rich soil is the best ; if heavy this condition 

 may be much bettered by placing a handful of sand in each hole where a bulb 

 is placed, and after setting the bulb thereon, covering it entirely with sand. 

 Except in heavy tenacious grounds this is not necessary, but even on moderately 

 stiff soils it is a good procedure, and is to be advised i( sand can conveniently 

 be had. — James Vick's Sons. 



MAKING FRUIT ATTRACTIVE. 



Fruit is always sold very largely by its looks. The highly colored apples 

 will always bring higher prices than those of a duller or green color. With 

 pears there is a partial exception, as there are so many superior varieties of a 

 rusty color that this rather than bright red has the preference. But with the 

 pears that do color, the more highly colored any specimen may be, the better it 

 is likely to prove. But so much depends on an attractive appearance that 

 many growers have learned that there is money in putting a spray of green 

 leaves to offset the color of the fruit. This is almost always done in selling the 

 finest peaches, and fruit growers are learning to treat other fruit in the same 

 way. 



