SEPTEMBER: FIFTH WEEK 251 



often be restored to good condition by placing them in 

 slightly moist sawdust or moss in a shaded place. If this 

 does not seem to restore them, it will be best not to risk 

 planting them. All bulbs which are to be kept on hand for 

 planting later, should be packed in sawdust in a box or 

 wrapped in heavy paper away from the light and high 

 temperature. 



Soil for Forcing Bulbs 



The most important thing about the soil for bulb forcing 

 is to have it friable enough to drain rapidly and thoroughly. 

 A mixture of garden loam, manure so old that it is thor- 

 oughly disintegrated (or manure and leaf mold mixed to- 

 gether, if only ordinary manure is to be had), and sand, will 

 give the results sought. The two former may be mixed half 

 and half, and enough sand be added so that it will crumble 

 readily when moist. There will be little danger of getting 

 too much sand, even if added in an amount equal to the 

 soil. In case neither manure or leaf mold are to be had, 

 a few thick sods taken up by the roadside and then shaved 

 with a sharp spade or an old knife, mixed with sand and 

 enriched with fine, ground bone, two quarts or so to the 

 bushel, will answer the purpose. " Humus " also is excellent. 



In planting, ordinary flower pots, "bulb pans," which are 

 very shallow flower pots, or flats may be used. For general 

 purposes, the bulb pans are the most satisfactory. The 6" 

 size costs about seven cents, and the 10" about twenty 

 cents apiece. If the flowers are to be used for cutting, or to 

 be brought into a conservatory, the flats, which may be 

 made in smaller sizes than those ordinarily used, are more 

 convenient, as they hold more bulbs and do not dry out 

 so quickly. Bulbs which have made their root growth in 

 flats may be later planted in pots to be taken into the house, 

 thus economizing space during the preliminary part of their 

 growth. 



Whatever is used in the way of a container, the essen- 

 tial things in plantings are to see that good drainage is 



