BULBS AND TUBERS HARDY SPECIES 51 



be ready for their last move to blooming-quarters, and for early 

 spring flowers such as these a greenhouse with a south aspect 

 will naturally give the best results. 



This kind of bulb-growing, of which the general outline is 

 here given, is very simple. A few easy rules and careful 

 watering must not be neglected, and then they will take care 

 of themselves ; for good cultivation in the bulb grounds and 

 the summer sunshine have done most of the work, and the 

 flowers already lie folded in their hearts before the bulbs reach 

 us. It would be needless to give such familiar directions were 

 it not that every day one meets with new-fledged gardeners 

 trying their first flight who thankfully accept the plainest 

 hints. As soon as the flowering is over the bulbs may be 

 planted in the borders, where they will give very acceptable, if 

 smaller, blooms for years to come ; but if they should not be 

 wanted for this purpose, let them not be wasted. Be sure 

 that there is some poor neighbour who cannot afford such 

 luxuries to whom they will be a veritable mine of pleasure. 



Narcissus, in its many and varied groups, is perhaps the 

 most charming of all hardy bulbs, and in one form or other 

 will carry us from the dark December days to the end of 

 March, and longer if we wish. Paper White one of the least 

 satisfactory to grow, and with a somewhat evil smell is 

 generally reckoned the earliest. The equally early Scilly 

 White is not grown so much as it deserves, though it is familiar 

 enough in its cut state. It belongs to the Tazetta or bunch- 

 flowered group, and, though it cannot boast the pure white of 

 the South European N. papyraceus, it has a sweeter scent, 

 and the pale lemon of the cup fades by degrees to the creamy 

 tint of the rest of the flower. This species, said to be a native, 

 if I am not mistaken, of St. Michael's Mount, on the Cornish 

 Coast, or at any rate naturalised there, comes into bloom about 

 Christmas in favourable seasons. On that account it is too 

 tender for the gardens of the mainland, but may be had in per- 



