252 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



provided and that the bulbs are planted to a suitable depth 

 for the kind being used. Sphagnum moss (B) excelsior, or 

 screenings should be placed in the bottom of the flat, or a 

 few pebbles or pieces of broken flower pot (A) put in the 



bottoms of the pots or bulb pans, 

 before planting. Then put in a 

 layer of soil (C), on top of this 

 place the bulbs, about a half inch 

 to an inch and a half apart. After 

 being placed, they should be cov- 

 ered in firmly. Hyacinths should 

 be left about a half inch below 

 the surface; tulips a little deeper, 

 while the tops of the narcissi 

 which are more elongated, will 

 often come up to the surface of the soil. A very thorough 

 watering should be given after setting, and as soon as any 

 surplus has had a chance to drain off, the flats, pots or 

 pans should be set away to make root growth. 



The Easter lily, unlike the other bulbs, forms roots on the 

 base of the flower stalk as well as at the bottom of the bulb 

 itself; for this reason, and also to give it as firm a support as 

 possible, it should be planted well to the bottom of the pot 

 and only partly covered at first, or else planted in a small 

 pot and repotted again once or twice during the early 

 stages of growth into larger pots, putting it well at the 

 bottom each time, and filling it in about the stalk with new 

 earth. 



The Secret of Success 



The "secret of success" with bulb culture, so far as there 

 is one, is in getting a good, strong root growth before the 

 tops are allowed to start. Darkness, low temperature and 

 sufficient moisture to keep the soil from getting dry are 

 the conditions required to achieve this result. Freezing 

 later on, before they are taken into the house, will not hurt. 

 But for convenience in getting at them they are usually 

 kept in a cool cellar or in a dark closet, or in a cold-frame 



