1 86 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



is likely to extend to the bulbs. The plants may then 

 be left to ripen in the ground for several days, accord- 

 ing to the weather, or the necessity of preparing the 

 ground for other plants. 



Dig all roots to be saved on a warm, sunny day, 

 and dry in the sun for several days if the weather is 

 fair and warm. Cover with blankets at night or leave 

 them on the floor of a sunny room until the earth 

 about their roots is dry, pack in boxes of dry earth 

 or sand, and store in a dry, frost-proof cellar. 



Dahlias and the common tall Canna are easily win- 

 tered in a warm, dry cellar. The large Orchid-flow- 

 ered Cannas are much more difficult to winter, and are 

 very apt to dry-rot under the most favourable circum- 

 stances. I have found laying on the ground (under 

 the steam-pipes where they are run outside the cellar) 

 and covering with dry earth a very good way of han- 

 dling them. They should be examined occasionally, 

 and if they seem too dry sprinkle with water. If the 

 Caladium bulbs show any decay of the centre-shoot all 

 the decayed parts should be pulled off down to sound 

 tissue. Parts of Cannas broken in digging should be 

 removed with a sharp knife. Where there is but a 

 small quantity of roots, shave off the dirt and wrap 

 the tuber in tissue-paper. Store on a shelf in a closet, 

 or other convenient frost-proof place. There is no 

 more uncertain root to carry through the winter. 

 Florists often lose their entire stock by decay or dry- 

 rot, and were it not for this the Canna would soon 



