238 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



But the best was not achieved. He probably paid a visit 

 subsequently to one of the public parks where bulbs are grown to 

 perfection, and even the most cursory glance at the magnificent 

 array of flowers showed him the error of his ways. In his own 

 small garden a daffodil nodded its head here and there in splendid 

 isolation ; even the thin line of crocuses failed to give satisfaction 

 And thus it was borne in upon him that one of the secrets of 

 success in the growing of bulbs Is to plant them in bold masses 

 and good widths 



Therefore my first word of advice to the beginner in bulb grow- 

 ing especially if the depth of his pocket be limited is that if he 

 have only a few dozen bulbs to plant he should confine them to a 

 single bed, and in this way reap the fullest advantage from his 

 outlay. Or let him select a section of the border, and determine 

 that throughout the months of March, April and May it shall be 

 made as gay and bright as the expenditure of time and money 

 can make it. 



I have said that bulbs will grow in any kind of soil, and this is 

 perfectly true ; but if the best results are to be secured some 

 attention must be paid by the cultivator to the preparation of the 

 ground. If he traces back the history of the impo.ted bulb that 

 he holds in his hand in readiness to plant in its allotted position, 

 he realises that it was born and matured in the curious sandy soil 

 of the Netherlands, that this is its natural element, and that if 

 he is to maintain the bulb in good condition and induce it to put 

 forth its finest blossom, he must endeavour to provide it with a 

 like environment. Therefore he will take pains with the prepara- 

 tion of his soil. If it be at all heavy he will lighten it by incor- 

 porating with it as much loam, sand and road grit as he can 

 obtain. 



He will know also that the best time to plant his bulbs is when 



the ground is in a friable condition, and he will therefore choose 



\ a fine day for the purpose, and one also which comes not too soon 



If after a heavy rainfall. The ground will a week previously have 



been well dug over, and in the early morning of the planting day 



he will rake the surface with a long-toothed rake and leave the 



