HERBACEOUS PLANTS 135 



poeticus, and obvallaris. Crocus of all kinds 

 do remarkably well when not disturbed and 

 often increase rapidly. Scilla sibirica, S. 

 amoena, S. campanulata, and Chionodoxa 

 Lucilice have all become established in masses, 

 and annually produce an abundance of flowers 

 where planted on the grass in Regent's Park. 

 Many visitors to the London parks are sur- 

 prised how well HYACINTHS and TULIPS thrive 

 in the midst of their smoky surroundings. 

 This is, however, readily accounted for by the 

 total renewal of the bulbs each year and by the 

 care in preparation of the soil in which they 

 are planted. Thorough trenching and manur- 

 ing is annually engaged in, while the addition of 

 a quantity of fresh lime to each bed or border 

 goes a long way in sweetening the soil and 

 counteracting the deleterious effects of its 

 chemically impure ingredients. 



