PLANTING BULBS IN THE YARD 55 



be lifted every three or four years, so that the clumps 

 of bulbs that form may be separated and replanted. 



In preparing the soil, spade it to a depth of at least 

 twelve inches. Work in two inches of well-rotted barn- 

 yard manure. Plant the daffodil and poet's narcissus 

 bulbs so that they will be twelve inches apart, with the 

 tops five inches below the surface of the soil. Jonquils 

 should be six inches apart, with the tops four inches 

 below the surface. 



The bulbs are perfectly hardy, so that no protection 

 is needed, but they will make an earlier and stronger 

 growth if they are given a thick coating of coarse ma- 

 nure just before winter begins. In the spring the fine 

 part of the dressing may be left on the bed. The extra 

 nourishment will help in making larger flowers, and 

 stronger bulbs for the next season's growth. After the 

 leaves die down in July or August, the ground may 

 be loosened above the bulbs with a hoe or spade. 



Narcissi are the most inexpensive of the hardy bulbs. 

 A single bulb will form a large clump in a few years. 

 The varieties should not be mixed. A very pleasing effect 

 is secured by planting a number of kinds, each in a 

 separate place. 



SNOWDROPS AND SCILLAS 



Snowdrops are the earliest of the spring-flowering 

 bulbs. They may be seen peeping through the ground 

 even while it is covered with snow. They are closely 

 followed by the blue Scilla sibirica. 



