The Culture of Flowering Bulbs 



beds this plan is scarcely worth adoption, because it leaves the ground 

 bare for several months ; but where Begonias are grown in the reserve 

 border to furnish a supply of flowers for cutting, it may be a consider- 

 able advantage to leave them until the following year. 



A word is necessary as to soil. The Begonia is a gross feeder, 

 and to develop its fine qualities there must be a liberal employment 

 of manure. As a matter of fact, it is scarcely possible to make the 

 soil too rich for this flower. 



CHIONODOXA LUCILLE 



Glory of the Snow 



THE white centre of the Chionodoxa, its more open blossoms, larger 

 size, and graduated tint of blue, distinguish this flower from its 

 older and justly prized rival, the Scilla. Indeed, the Chionodoxa is 

 exquisitely beautiful, and of great value for pot culture, beds, or 

 borders. Five bulbs may be grown in a 48- sized pot, and in the 

 border not less than half a dozen should be planted in a group. 

 Employed as a single or double line, it also produces a striking bit 

 of colouring. The bulbs should be planted in autumn four inches 

 deep, the distance between being not more than three inches. Any 

 ordinary garden soil will grow this flower, and it is advisable to allow 

 the bulbs to remain undisturbed for several years, as the effect will 

 be the greater in each succeeding spring. 



CROCUS 



THIS brilliant harbinger of spring will thrive in any soil or situation, 

 but to be brought to the highest possible perfection it should be 

 grown in an open bed or border of deep, rich, dry sandy loam. The 

 bulbs should be planted during September, October, and November. 

 If kept out of the ground after the end of the year they will be 

 seriously damaged, and however carefully planted, will not flower in 

 a satisfactory manner. Plant three inches deep in lines, clumps, or 

 masses, as taste may suggest, putting the bulbs two inches apart. If 

 possible, let them remain undisturbed two or three years, and then 

 take them up and plant again in well-prepared and liberally manured 

 soil. A bed of mixed Crocuses has a pleasing appearance, but in 

 selecting bulbs for the geometric garden it is more effective to 



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