BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



BULBOUS PERENNIALS. 



They are of three kinds, viz., hardy, or such as grow in 

 the open border ; half-hardy, such as will not stand out over 

 winter, or requiring a frame or the green-house ; and stove, or 

 those that will not grow to perfection without artificial heat. 

 Of these last we shall have nothing to say. Many of the half- 

 hardy are perfected when planted in the open ground in the 

 spring, and are sometimes called spring bulbs, as the Gladi- 

 olus, &c. 



The Anemone and Ranunculus, are half-hardy, requiring 

 the protection of a frame or otherwise. 



Hardy bulbs, with few exceptions, are remarkably easy of 

 cultivation, and, if planted in proper soil and situation, seldom 

 fail to produce plenty of offsets and seeds for propagation. 



The best kind of soil for their growth is a light loam, rather 

 sandy than otherwise, yet not too light, or the bulbs will be 

 injured during the heat of summer, and, if adhesive, they 

 invariably grow weakly, and seldom flower. 



As to the depth the different bulbs require to be planted in 

 the ground, no certain rule can be laid down, as some species 

 require to be planted from three to five inches, while others not 

 more than one and a half, deep. The different depths will be 

 given as each variety in species is described. 



Encourage as much as possible the growth of the leaves, by 

 giving them free exposure to light and air; for on the full 

 development of these depends the success of the bulbs flower- 

 ing another year. If the leaves grow strong, a good quantity 

 of strong pulp is stored up in the bulbs, and a good bloom is 

 the consequence. 



Never, if it can be avoided, disturb the roots by removal 

 during their growth : but if obliged to do so, select a wet day, 

 and take them up with good balls, so as not to injure the 

 fibrous roots. 



The only time to remove them with success, is during 

 the time of their torpidity, at which time the offsets may 



