DUTCH BULBS. 193 



be brought into bloom in December, and a succession may 

 be obtained, as directed for hyacinths. The proper soil is 

 one part well decomposed horse dung, one part rich loam, 

 one part sand. 



THE CROCUS. 



A beautiful race, of about twenty species of hardy bulbs, 

 some blooming in spring, others in autumn ; natives of the 

 south of Europe and Eastern Asia ; some species grow wild 

 in England. 



Our garden varieties, with the exception of the large 

 yellow and the Scotch Crocus, are mostly hybrids. 



For blooming in the house the crocus is only valuable 

 as an early flower, its blooms being fugitive. A few, 

 however, planted with other bulbs, produce a pretty effect. 



The soil should be one part loam, one part sand, and 

 water should be sparingly given. Otherwise treat as 

 hyacinths. 



Varieties. 



Sir Walter Scott. Variegated. Grootverst. White. 



David Rizzio. Blue. Othello. Very dark purple. 



Scotch. Yellow. Large Yellow. 



La Majestueuse. "White and Grand Lilas, Lilac, 



violet* Albion. Violet. 



Caroline. White. Queen Victoria. White. 

 17 



