Flowers all the Year Round 



flowering, and are worth cultivating for their foliage alone. They 

 also succeed in pots, and thrive in peat, or in sandy loam and leaf- 

 mould. A 48-sized pot will accommodate five bulbs. 



Freesia. Towards the end of the month these bulbs will be 

 ready for removal to a cool greenhouse or cold pit. No heat is 

 required merely protection from frost and excessive moisture. The 

 stems are so slender that support must be given early. As the 

 plants do not bear re-potting, the danger of exhausted soil can be 

 met by administering weak manure water occasionally. 



Fritillarias belong to the same order as the Crown Imperial, 

 and the conditions which suit that plant will answer for all the Fritil- 

 laries. The bulbs thrive in a deep loam, and they are quite hardy. 



Gloxinia. As the season of rest approaches, place the plants 

 in any airy position, and gradually reduce the supply of water 

 until the leaves fall off. The bulbs may be stored for the winter 

 in peat or in dry moss. There are, however, a great number of 

 growers who never store a bulb, but rely entirely on seedlings raised 

 annually. 



Hyacinth. To grow this flower successfully in glasses demands 

 no horticultural skill, for children often produce very creditable 

 specimens. It only requires the intelligent application of certain 

 well-understood principles. Like all other bulbs, the Hyacinth 

 should have its roots formed before top-growth begins. The flower 

 is cultivated in water for two principal reasons : the pleasure derived 

 from seeing the entire plant, and the enhanced decorative value 

 insured by this mode of treating it. As darkness retards top-growth, 

 but does not delay the production of roots, it is usual to place the 

 glasses in a cool cellar ; and if this happens to be airy as well as cool 

 and dark, there is no better place in which to start the bulbs. Still, 

 it must be admitted that darkness is not essential for the development 

 of roots. But darkness and coolness alike tend to delay the growth 

 of foliage until roots are formed. Therefore, if the cultivator resolves 

 to have the plants in view from the commencement, he will have to 

 rely on a low and uniform temperature for securing these ends. The 

 water must always be pure and bright, and it should not quite touch 

 the bulb, or the latter will rot. Wires to support the flowers must 

 be provided in good time, those which are manufactured expressly 

 for the purpose being both neat and effective. A rather low tem- 

 perature, and free access of pure air, should be regarded as necessary 

 conditions of health in all stages of growth. Hence it will be obvious 

 that a mantelpiece, with its fluctuations of heat and cold, is a most 



3 6 4 



