CULTURE OF THE TUBEROSE. 147 



Cultivating the Bulbs, Our mode is very simple. 

 After the ground has been well manured and spaded, or 

 plowed, lines are struck out one foot apart; the small 

 bulbs or " sets " (see fig 50,) are then planted six inches 

 apart, and at least four inches below the surface ; this we 

 consider of great importance, as it tends to solidify the 

 neck of the bulb, and thereby prevent 

 the disposition to decay. Our time of 

 planting here is about the 1st of June, 

 but as they do not begin to grow for 

 nearly four weeks after planting, it is 

 necessary to hoe and rake the ground 

 once or twice before they come up, to 

 prevent the growth of weeds, which 

 would otherwise quickly choke them in 

 their feeble state. The bulbs are matured 

 by the end of October ; the tops are then 

 cut off (but not too close,) and the roots 

 at once placed in a warm and dry place. 



Producing Flowers, To secure a con 

 tinuous bloom of the Tuberose, the first 

 roots should be started in January, first 

 removing all side shoots or offsets, in 

 a temperature not less than 65, and 

 if kept regularly not below that tern- 

 Fig. 50. perature, they will flower in May. Those 

 which are wanted to flower outdoors, and which are of most 

 interest to general readers, should be started in a green- 

 house, hot-bed, or warm room, not sooner than the 1st of 

 May, and planted out in the flower borders three or four 

 weeks after ; thus treated, they will begin to bloom in Au- 

 gust, and continue to bloom for two months. In warmer sec- 

 tions of the country there is no necessity for this forward- 

 ing treatment, as there the dry bulb planted out in May 

 will flower freely during the autumn months. For a later 

 succession of flowers, say for the months of November, 



