504 General Notices. 



Whether bulbs will flower well or not depends more upon their previous 

 culture than on that which can be given them in pots, or in the ground ; 

 since it is not the process of formation which we furtiier by our care, but 

 that of development. Before a pelargonium cutting can become a busliy 

 plant, its branches must be made, for, although the rudimentary principles 

 of a tree are certainly contained in a seed, yet the parts are not formed, and 

 do not e.xist even in miniature at that early period. With bulbs it is difl'er- 

 ent, for they do contain in embryo all the parts of the future plant and 

 flower, so that their successful growth depends more on their healthiness 

 and strength at the time of planting, than on any subsequent culture. 

 Hence it follows that good bulbs must be planted, or fine flowers will never 

 be the result of the greatest skill and attention. Firmness ai d weight are 

 therefore to be considered in choosing bulls, even more than size ; for a 

 large bulb, if spongy, will never be so flourishing as a smaller one which is 

 compact and firm. Select fine, well-developed bulbs, in which a large 

 quantity of healthy secretions has been treasured up during the previous 

 season of growth, and then they will flower well in spite of poor soil and 

 bad potting. This is proved by the fine flowers produced by hyacinths in 

 water. Good soil is therefore to be regarded as more important for the 

 future well-being of the plant than for its beauty at the present season ; and, 

 as most amateurs regard more the production of fine flowers now, than the 

 future increase of their stock, a well-grown, compact formation is indispen- 

 sable. 



If these remarks are correct, it follows that the size of the pot is not of 

 much importance in flowering bulbs ; and this suggestion of theory we have 

 found correct in a rather extensive practice. We have flowered hyacinths 

 and early tulips in the smallest pots, and they have been as fine as when 

 grown in vehicles four times as large. We recommend 3-inch pots for hya- 

 cinths — those which are deep rather than wide. This sized pot is elegant, 

 and has the advantage of taking up little room. More water will be de- 

 manded in proportion as less soil is allowed to the roots, but this is a mat- 

 ter easily regulated. For tulips, when planted singly, the same size pot 

 may be employed ; but a good effect is produced by three or four in a pot, 

 and then it must be larger. Crocuses, we find, do best about ten together 

 in 5-inch pots. But no rule can be laid down in these matters ; every gar- 

 dener must consult his own convenience, and the facilities he possesses. 



Good drainage is absolutely necessary, for all bulbs are injured by wet 

 lodging around and under them, although a percolating moisture does them 

 good, as they bloom naturally in the wet season of the year. A few crocks 

 should, therefore, be placed carefully at the bottom of the pot; and the soil 

 should be light and sandy. The directions which have been given repeat- 

 edly in the Chronicle, respecting gradually admitting moisture to bulbs, 

 must be well attended to : and, for this reason, no water need be applied at 

 the time of planting. If the soil is moderately moist, that will answer ev- 

 ery purpose for some weeks to come. Place your pots against a wall, on a 

 bed of coal-ashes, to prevent the ingress of worms, and then cover them 

 six inches deep with leaf mould or loam. This heap may have all the rain, 



