CHAPTER IX 



Bulbs and Tuberous-Rooted Plants 



Notice that the Federal Horticultural Board at Washington has prohibited 



the importation of all bulbs except these six: Lily, Lily of the Valley, Narcissus^ 



Hyacinth, Tulip and Crocus. Lovers of bulbs should stock up at once as 



even these six may be prohibited before long. 



Preparation of Beds — Time of Planting — Planting— Naturalizing 

 — Culture During the Season — Mulching After Planting- 

 Descriptive List of Bulbs with Cultural Notes 



BULBS are not, as usually thought of, seeds or roots, but nearly 

 mature plants already grown when we buy them; many of them 

 even have stored in them the food for the leaves, flowers and roots. 

 All we need to do is to place them under some favorable conditions for 

 growth; then they send out their roots 

 and by merely absorbing water produce 

 their blooms. They are useful for the 

 woods, the lawn, the border, the water 

 garden, the rockery and the window in 

 Winter; in fact, they have a most un- 

 usual range of adaptability. 



Many readers will never try a single 

 new bulb nor even read about any 

 plant which is strange to them. They 

 will never try an attractive clump of 

 Eranthis hyemalis, the Winter Aconite, 

 that very bright, cheery yellow flower of 

 February or March; nor would they 

 know of the striped Scilla, the Pusch- 

 kinia hbanotica, a dainty blue and 

 white flower, which is of value but little 

 known. Our suggestion is to try a few 

 of the bulbs in the list that closes this 

 chapter. They have been chosen be- 

 cause they are really good. 



Preparation of Beds for Bulbs 



Nearly all bulbs succeed especially 

 well on the sandier loams, but will 



even grow on nearly pure sand or heavy clay. The heavy clay soils 

 are easily loosened by the addition of sand or coal ashes. Manure if 

 used at all must be so thoroughly incorporated with the soil that it is 



141 



Narcissus Glory of Leiden 



This is but one of scores of 

 wonderful varieties 



