HOUSE PLANTS. 85 



gupply of watc r, but they soon languish in the possession of the 

 purchasers. 



Another very hazardous mode of purchasing plants is at those 

 sales which are very frequently got up in the spring and autumn. 

 At these, purchasers have no security that the plant is healthy, 

 .- that it is what it professes to be, and thus they often pay a 

 higher price for a worthless article in a diseased state, than a re- 

 gular nurseryman would charge them for a good plant in the 

 finest condition. Such a nurseryman has always character at 

 stake, but the other parties, generally speaking, have none. 



MANAGEMENT OF BULBS IN GLASSES. 



This is a favorite mode of house culture, and the bulbs best 

 adapted for it are hyacinths, polyanthus-narcissus, Van Thol, and 

 other tulips, crocus, Persian iris, narcissus, colchicum, Guernsey 

 lily, jonquil, and others. 



Spring-flowering bulbs are usually purchased in September, 

 and the autumnal ones in July and August, and the largest and 

 best-formed bulbs should be chosen ; an abundant supply may 

 be obtained at little cost at the seed-shops and nurseries. To be 

 blown in winter or spring, the bulbs are placed in water in Octo- 

 ber, and so on in succession till February or March ; and for 

 autumn and early winter, they are placed in the water in August 

 and September. Dark-colored glasses are the best, as they pre- 

 vent the light from decomposing the roots of the plants. Rain 

 water is preferable to any other, and it should be changed fre- 

 quently, not less than once every third or fourth day, to prevent 

 its getting putrid ; and in performing this operation care must be 

 taken both in withdrawing and in replacing the roots. This is 

 necessary only till the flowers have expanded ; for after this the 

 plants may be left undisturbed until the flowers have decayed. 



