The Culture of Flowering Bulbs 



added. The roots may be planted in November and December in 

 gardens where vegetation does not usually suffer from damp in 

 winter; but where there is any reason to apprehend danger from 

 damp, the planting should be deferred until February, and should 

 be completed within the first twenty days of that month, if weather 

 permit. Prepare a fine surface to plant on, and draw drills six inches 

 apart and two inches deep, and place the tubers, claws downwards, 

 in the drills, four inches apart, covering them with sifted soil before 

 drawing the earth back to the drill. Rake the bed smooth, and the 

 planting is completed. To keep free from weeds, and to give plentiful 

 supplies of water in dry weather, are the two principal features of the 

 summer cultivation. When the flowers are past, and the leaves begin 

 to fade, take up the roots, dry them in a cool place, and store in 

 peat or cocoa-nut fibre. 



Turban Ranunculus. This class is remarkably handsome, 

 of hardier constitution and freer growth than the edged and spotted 

 varieties. For the production of masses of colour, and to form showy 

 clumps in the borders, the Turban varieties are of the utmost value. 

 They require a good loam, well manured, and the general treatment 

 advised for the named varieties ; but as they are less delicate, they 

 may be dealt with in a rougher fashion. 



SCILLA 



THE BLUE SQUILL may be grown in exactly the same manner as the 

 Roman Hyacinth for indoor decoration, and it makes a charming 

 companion to that flower. It is perfectly hardy, and for its deep, 

 lovely blue should be largely grown in the open border, where it 

 appears to especial advantage in conjunction with Snowdrops. It is 

 also valuable for filling small beds, and for making marginal lines in 

 the geometric garden. 



The Scilla prczcox, or sibirica, thrives on the mountains of North 

 Italy, where masses of it may be seen growing close to the snow, 

 and in this country it withstands wind and rain which would be the 

 ruin of many another flower. Still we like to see it in a sheltered 

 border, where it has a fair chance of displaying its beauty without much 

 risk of injury. In such a position it will flower in February, and in 

 the bleakest quarter it will open in March. It is not at all fastidious 

 as to soil, but when planted will give no further trouble until the 

 foliage withers, and it is time to lift the bulbs to make way for other 

 occupants. If convenient, the roots may remain for years in one spot. 



