202 



THE BEGINNER'S GARDEN BOOK 



are t planted in 

 They are hardy. 



space. Even the largest of them, the lilies, cover when in 

 full growth scarcely more than a square foot of ground. Of 

 the small bulbs, such as the crocus, 

 several can be set in this space. There- 

 fore bulbs can be set among other 

 plants and will scarcely be in the way. 

 Fall-planted bulbs will have finished 

 their blooming, and begun to die down, 

 by the time other plants are getting 

 ready to flower. 



Bulbs can be planted singly, or in 



FIG. 105. Lily bulbs groups, or in masses. They do well 

 Lng ' in lines in the border, in clumps among 

 other plants or under the shrubs (the 

 very earliest bulbs only), or irregularly but thickly spaced 

 in the grass. Let me speak of those which are to be planted 

 in spring or summer. For all 

 of them the ground should be 

 prepared at least a foot deep; 

 for the golden -banded lily, eigh- 

 teen inches. 



The gladiolus provides large 

 spikes of beautiful blossoms 

 which open one after another. 

 They are to be had in all colors, 

 in the most delicate hues, and 

 flower in August and Septem- 

 ber. Cover four or five inches ; 

 distances, six inches or more. 

 Gladiolus is tender, and the bulbs should be lifted and stored 

 as soon as the tops are killed by frost. The little bulbs which 

 form near the big ones will, if nursed for a couple of years, 

 yield good flowers. Plant early in May. 



FIG. 106. Big and little glad- 

 iolus bulbs, properly called corms. 

 They are tender. 



