114 



PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



only by a mass of rank, green leaves. Now, as in 

 most mishaps in amateur horticulture, the cause is a very 

 simple one ; the knowledge in this case is easily imparted, 

 and failure need never occur. In the selection of the bulbs, 

 reject all that do not show signs of vegetation from the 



Fig. 35. SOUND BULB. Fig. SO. BULB DECAYED AT CENTER. 



centre bulb. It is true that they will occasionally flower 

 even when the centre does not show green, but it is always 

 doubtful, even to us of the trade. Figure 34 shows a bulb 

 as it is taken up by the cultivator in the fall a large cen- 

 tre bulb with several smaller ones, or " sets," attached. 



