Seventeen] l&t Catt Of SSulfcS 187 



become a drug on the market, and only novelties have 

 a sale. 



Dahlias are much more easily wintered, doing well 

 in any cellar that will keep potatoes in first-class con- 

 dition. All roots wintered in cellars should be placed 

 on elevated shelves or tables away from the low tem- 

 perature of the floor on a swinging shelf, if the cel- 

 lar is frequented by rats and mice. 



Gladioli will keep perfectly if stored in flour-sacks 

 and hung from a beam or post near the ceiling. 

 Montbretias may be wintered in the same way. 



When the Cannas, Caladiums, and other summer 

 plants are out of the way the beds may be prepared 

 for the fall planting of bulbs for early spring bloom- 

 ing. The vacant foliage-beds on the lawn offer the 

 best place, as the bulbs will have played their part and 

 passed on by the time these are needed again for the 

 summer occupants. 



If the beds have been lowered owing to limited wa- 

 ter-supply haul on a few wheel-barrow loads of very 

 old manure and earth, and mix thoroughly with the 

 soil, raising them sufficiently to shed water. If per- 

 manent bulb beds are preferred (which may be planted 

 with annuals in the summer) choose an exposure 

 slanting toward the south, if possible, as this will in- 

 sure earlier flowers. See that the soil has good natural 

 drainage, or, if this is lacking, supply it by excavating 

 to a depth of eighteen to thirty inches, and placing 

 several inches of broken stone or crockery in the bot- 



