CULTIVATION OF PEREXNIALS, BIENNIALS, ETC. 97 



BULBOUS PERENNIALS. 



They are of three kinds, — viz. : hardy, or sucli that 

 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 perfec- 

 tion without artificial heat. Of these last we shall have 

 nothing to say. Many of the half-hardy are perfected 

 Avlien planted in the open ground in the spring, and are 

 sometimes called spring bulbs, as the Gladiolus, etc. 



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 pro- 

 pagation. 



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

 rather sandy than otherwise, yet not too light, or the 

 bulbs will be injured during the heat of summer, and, if 

 it be 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 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 flowering of 

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

 of nutriment is stored up in the bulbs and a good bloom 

 is the consequence. 



Never, if it can be avoided, disturb the roots by re- 

 moval 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. 

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