BULBS AND TUBERS 267 



5. Bulbous and Tuberous Plants 



THE FALL- PLANTED BULBS 



All kinds of bulbs are partial to a deep, r.ch, well- 

 drained soil. This is no small part of their successful 

 culture. The site selected should be well -drained, either 

 naturally or artificially. Again, in flattish lands, the 

 beds may be made above the surface, some 18 inches 

 high, and bordered with grass. A layer of rough stones 

 a foot deep is sometimes used in the bottom of ordinary 

 beds for drainage, and with good results, where other 

 methods are not convenient. The soil for beds should 

 be well enriched with old manure. Fresh manure should 

 never be used in the soil about bulbs, The addition of 

 leaf -mold and some sand also improves the texture of 

 heavy soils. For Lilies the leaf-mold may be omitted. 

 Let the spading be at least a foot deep. Eighteen inches 

 will be none too deep for Lilies. 



The bulbs should be ordered some time in advance, if 

 possible, and are to be planted from September to the 

 middle of November. All kinds of bulbs look best 

 planted in masses, or at least in groups. Details as to 

 the time, depth and distance apart will be found under 

 the several kinds mentioned below. 



During planting or previously, . the surface of the beds 

 should be made somewhat rounding, to prevent water 

 standing on them in winter, which is always likely to 

 work damage. A layer of sand below the surface, or a 

 generous handful about each bulb, will also materially 

 assist in carrying away water from the bulbs. 



As the time of severe winter freezing approaches, the 

 ground planted to bulbs should receive a mulch of leaves, 

 manure, or litter, to the depth of four inches or more, 

 according to the latitude. It will be well to let the 

 mulch extend one foot or more beyond the border of 



