GENERAL DIRECTIONS. 13 



in the latter part of November, having first filled the 

 glasses with rain-water, so that the bulb may come in 

 contact with it ; then place them in a dark place, for 

 a few days, to promote the shooting of the roots, after 

 which expose them freely to the sun, change the water 

 as often as it becomes foul, and never let it approach 

 the freezing point. Bulbous roots, growing in pots, 

 should be frequently turned round, lest they grow in an 

 inclined position, from their being attracted towards the 

 light ; the earth on the top should be suffered to dry 

 before the next watering ; when the plants have done 

 growing, give them little or no water. If it be so 

 managed the present year, as not to have a flower-bud 

 formed in miniature, there will be no flower in the next. 



If the leaves be well grown, and the plant properly 

 exposed to the air and sun, then the sap will be duly 

 prepared, and an embryo-flower will be formed in the 

 bulb. 



All buds, in certain seasons of the year, are dormant : 

 this state commences when the foliage begins to decay, 

 after, blooming : then the supply of water should be 

 lessened, and in a short time cease altogether, until the 

 season of germination returns. The bulbs in the mean- 

 time may be kept in the pots, in a dry shady place, and 

 in the same temperature in which they are most suc- 

 cessfully cultivated. 



Some florists recommend to take the bulbs out of the 

 pots after the decay of the foliage, and repot them in 

 fresh earth a week or two before the period of reger- 

 minating, keeping them moderately moist by watering. 

 The earth should be kept loose at top, and watered with 

 rain or river water. 



The proper time to take up bulbous roots is in about 

 a month after blooming, at which time the foliage has 

 a yellowish decayed appearance. Cut off the stem and 

 foliage within an inch of the bulb, leaving the fibrous 

 roots attached to it. After being air-dried, they may 

 be placed in paper or dry sand until replanted. 



