FREESIAS. 



PREESIAS to bloom by Christmas 

 should be planted in August 

 or September, as it takes them 

 four or five months to reach blooming 

 size. Freesias are seldom planted as 

 early as they should be. I have been 

 told by one who is very successful with 

 freesias, that to keep the bulbs in good 

 condition, they should never be thor- 

 oughly dried out, as they easily loose 

 vitality. I'he soil cannot be too rich if 

 one wants fine, large flowers. Soil 

 which is composed of old, thoroughly 

 decayed leaves and manure, with a very 

 little wood ashes is good. Use deep 

 pots, well drained. Put in bulbs about 

 two inches apart, and cover fully an 

 inch. Water sparingly until shoots ap- 

 pear. You need not put them away in 



the dark for roots to form, but keep in 

 any cool, shady place in yard or house 

 After the shoots come through gradually 

 bring the pots to the full sunshine, and 

 you will have strong plants, standing up 

 erect. Keep well watered and grow in 

 the full sunlight, as they are much more 

 fragrant when grown in a sunny position. 

 Also be careful not to wet the blossoms, 

 as that will lesson their fragrance. Rich 

 soil is said to give highly colored flow- 

 ers. 



To buy small inferior bulbs will only 

 cause disappointment, as they cannot 

 produce the fine blossoms that the large 

 bulbs will. Put six or more mammoth 

 bulbs in one pot, and you will be richly 

 rewarded for all your trouble and e.x- 

 pense. 



THE JONQUIL. 



THE species and varieties of Narcissus 

 jonquilla, are popularly known as 

 " Jonquils " and possess many 

 points of similarity with the small 

 flowered section of that very extensive 

 genus. Although they do not present 

 a great variety of colors, yet they are 

 highly prized for their charming, golden, 

 fragrant flowers, which are freely pro- 

 duced. They are perfectly hardy, and 

 may be successfully grown by anyone 

 in either the flower border, greenhouse 

 or window garden. And as the bulbs 

 can be procured at a very moderate 

 price, they well deserve all that can be 

 said in their praise. 



The bulbs can be planted any time 

 from September to December, although 

 it is best to plant them as early as possible 



In potting let three or four bulbs, ac- 

 cording to their size, be placed in a 

 four-inch pot, and if large masses are 

 wanted, larger pots or pans, and more 

 bulbs can be used. In potting let the 

 pots or pans be properly drained, and 

 use a compost consisting of two-thirds 

 turfy loam, one-third well decayed 

 manure and a fine sprinkling of bone 

 dust. Mix well and use the compost 

 rough. In potting fill the pots or pans 

 to within three inches of the top, then 

 set in the bulbs, keeping them a few 

 inches apart, and then fill to within 

 half an inch of the top. Water thorough- 

 ly and place in a cool, dark cellar to 

 make root, watering when necessary. — 

 Vick's Magazine. 



359 



