IN MY LADY'S GARDEN 



The flowers here represented l are growing close to the 

 south wall of the conservatory, on a gravel terrace ; they 

 are protected each year from November till March by 

 slanting glass over their bulbs, and a mulch of old hot-bed 

 material is given when the glass is removed in spring. In 

 this way they do well, three bulbs put in two years ago 

 having produced this season eight blossoms each, although 

 they did not appear at all until the spring of this year, no 

 foliage even being produced during the first year after 

 planting. Next year they will probably produce offsets, 

 which may be allowed to grow into a fine clump of bulbs 

 until they become too crowded, when the outer bulbs may 

 be carefully removed in June, using them to start another 

 group. They are, however, usually supplied by the horti- 

 culturists at this time of year, and may be safely planted in 

 October, with the precautions mentioned above. 



We have just set up a pair of toads in the glasshouses ; 

 they are most useful in hunting and destroying the woodlice, 

 slugs, &c., which would otherwise injure the plants, but they 

 are apt to wander at night if the vinery door is left open, 

 as it must be during the time when the vines are being 

 ripened. To prevent this I have had a board, about 8 inches 

 high, fixed in a socket just inside the door, taking a hint 

 from the cottagers, who keep their babies from roaming in 

 the same way. It is easy to step over the board, and this 

 plan keeps the precious toads from wandering. They much 

 enjoy an occasional bath from a finely-rosed watering-pot, 

 and soon become quite tame. 



1 See p. 319. 



324 



