54 FLOWER GARDENING 



a heavy cover of manure. A good bulb rule is to 

 have crocuses and daffodils in the ground in early 

 October and other bulbs by the end of the month 

 if they arrive in time. 



Allow about two inches from the base of the 

 bulb to the top of the ground for small bulbs and 

 about five inches for the larger ones. If the lilies 

 are stem-rooting kinds, allow six to seven inches. 

 For planting crocuses, scillas and snowdrops in the 

 lawn there is a special dibble; where that is lack- 

 ing use a pointed stick to make the hole. Whether 

 bulbs are planted in the garden or in the grass, 

 press the soil firmly over them. A little sand 

 under and around the bulb is a good thing for 

 lilies, hyacinths, tulips and fritillaries. Both of 

 the best known fritillaries, the crown imperial and 

 the guinea-hen flower, have bulbs that are slightly 

 hollowed on top. In order that too much moisture 

 may not settle in the hollow, it is customary to 

 plant them tilted a little. 



In general, autumn planting of perennials that 

 either have to be purchased or are acquired by 

 gift is the better way out when the plants bloom 

 as early as April. In the matter of purchases espe- 

 cially, the result is much more satisfactory in cer- 

 tain instances. Thus most of the primulas in the 

 trade are grown in pots from seed and, being kept 

 in coldframes, are likely to arrive with the bloom 

 almost or quite gone; by autumn planting a year 

 would have been gained. 



So with leopard's bane, aubrietia and trollius. 



