HINTS ON BULB-GROWING 187 



late. Fortunately we have so many bulbs, which enjoy different parts 

 of the California year, that it is quite possible to have an unbroken 

 succession and still have each flower at its best. Still we actually have 

 a very long planting season for bulbs, as we have for other kinds of 

 plants, as indicated in the suggestions of monthly work in Chapter 

 XII, and it is possible to plant winter-flowering bulbs from September 

 to November and get a succession; all being from relatively early 

 plantings. 



Soil for Bulbs. Another set of conditions to arrange for is those 

 of the soil. Practically all bulbs demand soil conditions like those de- 

 scribed on pages 25 to 31. Possibly most of them are more exacting 

 of proper conditions of warmth and absence of surplus water than 

 many other plants are, because their large masses of food-substances 

 are more liable to fermentation and decay than are the tissues of 

 fibrous-rooted plants. Certainly most of them are very ill-placed in 

 cold mud, because their growth processes are arrested; and some of 

 them will grow in water which is at 60 and decay in water-soaked soil 

 at 40. Therefore do not plant bulbs in low wet places unless you hap- 

 pen to know that the particular bulb or fleshy root is of semi-aquatic 

 habit. 



Planting Bulbs. As a rule a good deal of sand is a good component 

 of a bulb bed, because it helps the access of warm air and ensures the 

 escape of surplus water. This is the reason why it is frequently pre- 

 scribed that a little sand be placed in the bottom of a hole prepared 

 for a bulb and some add a little coarsely powdered charcoal, which is 

 believed to have a tendency to prevent decay. 



But we do not believe it is best to plant a bulb in a hole made by 

 trowel or dibble. We prefer to plant in a trench opened with a hoe, 

 or, if very deep planting is required, as with some of the lilies, with a 

 spade. One can then see the whole line; the depth is more easily made 

 uniform; the sand or coal ashes (page 28) can be evenly distributed; 

 the bulbs can be placed at uniform distances and pressed down into 

 close contact with the sandy bed. The first soil used in filling should 

 be pressed down around the bulbs and the covering lightly disposed. 

 This is what our experience approves as planting bulbs in a workman- 

 like manner. 



Depth in planting bulbs is a very important consideration and im- 

 possible to determine by direct prescription, although suggestions in 

 that line will be given later. It is really a matter to be rationally 

 decided in accordance with the character of the bulb and the soil, 

 remembering that the tendency of the bulbs, as they cluster by off- 

 sets, is to crowd upwards. For the security of moisture supply and to 

 escape the heat and compacting of the immediate surface, bulbs should 

 be well-covered and the addition of manure and mulching, which will 



