POTTING FOR THE WINTER 37 



In planting any of these, be sure to have them all of the 

 same variety. A mixture of colors or sizes will be unsuccessful. 



And, as always with any bulb, seed, or plant, buy of a 

 good seedsman. He carries the best bulbs, which are most 

 worth your money. Better have fewer pots, and good, than 

 more of a poorer kind. 



When the work of potting is to be done, lay an inch of 

 earth on the drainage material, and on it set the bulbs, right 

 side up. Now fill in all around them with earth, keeping 

 them carefully in place, and covering them about an inch, or 

 until the earth, firmly packed, is within a half inch of the 

 top of the pot. Water them well and set them aside, after 

 labeling each one. 



They must now be stored in order to make roots. A cool, 

 dry cellar is a good place to set them in, or any place that is 

 dark, cool, and free from frost. They may even, be stored in 

 the ground, if only the frost and mice are kept out. For this 

 purpose dig a two-foot trench in a well-drained spot, where 

 water will not stand around the pots. In the trench set the 

 pots, cover a foot or so with earth, and wait till the surface 

 is frozen. Then cover with straw or leaves for two or three 

 feet more, strewing it well on all sides of the trench, and keep- 

 ing it in place with boards. The trench should be so placed 

 (as should a celery trench) that you can get at it from one end, 

 so as to get the pots out as you want them. 



Wherever you store the pots, leave them for some weeks. 

 Supposing that the potting was done in October, do not 

 begin to take them from storage until early in December. 

 Those which are stored outdoors will take care of themselves. 

 Those stored indoors must be kept watered. 



When you decide to use them, you may find an inch or 

 more of pale leaves 'showing above the earth in the pot. 

 Bring the pots into the house, but into a room not too warm 



