SPRING GARDEN AND ITS BULBS 53 



crushed shell, which must be thoroughly 

 wetted, but not enough to turn it into a bog. 1 

 The bulbs are then gently but firmly pressed 

 into holes in the fibre till they are three 

 parts covered. A little loose fibre is sprinkled 

 round them, and the bowl filled up with good 

 fresh Sphagnum from the nearest bog. If this 

 cannot be procured, fresh feathery moss or 

 pebbles will do. The bulbs, whatever they 

 may be, should be placed as close together as 

 possible, without actually touching ; and the 

 more cramped the space in which they grow, 

 the better they flower. 



The pots are then placed in soms cool, 

 darkened place, where they can get plenty 

 of fresh air. This is essential. The old 

 plan of starting bulbs in a close dark cup- 

 board does not agree with those grown on 

 this system. Mine are all put under a 

 table covered with a thick dusting - sheet 

 in an empty, fireless dressing-room. They 

 should be watered sparingly at first ; twice 



1 I generally obtain this, as well as the bulbs, from 

 Dobie, of Heathlands, near Chester. 



