112 FLOWERS AND THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



similar in character, and very varied in colour in the 

 different kinds. They grow in peat, mixed with sand, 

 and will grow out of doors in a warm border. They 

 must be protected from frost, and the roots should not 

 get too dry while they are growing. They may be 

 potted in October, kept from cold or heavy rain, and 

 placed in a greenhouse, or in a window when the roots 

 begin to grow. They have a slender growth, and are 

 from half a foot to two feet high, and they most of them 

 flower in the spring. 



The Polyanthus Narcissus, Single Narcissus, Jon- 

 quil, Double Daffodil, and all the Narcissus tribe, are 

 most valuable in a garden, from producing their deli- 

 cately beautiful fragrant flowers early, and without 

 much trouble in the cultivation. They are all hardy, 

 and will grow in good garden soil, if sand be put round 

 the roots. The fine large bulbs produce the finest 

 flowers. They may be allowed to remain in the ground 

 year after year. When the flowering is over the leaves 

 must not be cut off, but left to die down. Most of the 

 kinds produce offsets from the bulbs freely, and they 

 may also be grown from seed. Boots wanted for forcing 

 should be taken out of the ground when the leaves have 

 died down, and be kept in a dry cool place until the 

 autumn. Almost all flower in spring, some very early. 

 Only Obsoletus, with white, and Veridiflorm with green 

 flowers, bloom respectively in August and September. 



Crocuses are almost a necessary for making the flower 

 garden gay in early spring, for the ground is scarcely 

 clear of snow when the beds become enamelled with 

 their large sized, bright coloured, prettily varied flowers, 

 of brilliant gold, purple, lavender, and white, plain or 

 variously streaked. Any garden soil will do for them, 

 but they prefer rich sandy earth, They may be planted 

 from towards the end of summer to the end of 

 November ; and to make beds gay in spring which have 

 been filled with summer flowers, the crocus roots should 

 be put in as soon as they can be obtained To get a 

 succession of them flowering in pots, they may be 

 planted at intervals, from the earliest time at which they 



