PERENNIALS AND BULBS. 371 



fade they should be clipped, to prevent the development of 

 seed, which is not favorable for continued blooming. In 

 the fall, when the tops are withered by the first frosts, but 

 prior to a freeze that will kill the crowns of the root-stalks, 

 dig the roots and dry them partially, when they can be kept 

 on a shelf in a furnace-heated cellar, not too close to the 

 heater. We have kept the root-stalks in entire hills on the 

 cellar-bottom in a furnace-dried cellar-room, but they are 

 apt to start growth in such position if not divided and 

 potted by the first of February. The dividing is very easy, 

 as the root-stalks are separated almost as distinctly as the 

 tubers of the common potato. (See Fig. 32.) 



377. The Gladiolus. Among the summer-flowering bulbs 

 the most showy and popular are the modern varieties of the 

 gladiolus, and they are about as easy to grow and manage 

 as the potato or onion. The bulbs can be kept dry in a 

 box as easily as onions. For continuous effect the bulbs 

 should be planted from early in spring to the first of June. 

 The gorgeous flowers are hardly equalled for the parlor vase 

 and are peculiarly durable. If not in a sheltered position, 

 the flower-stems need supporting by small stakes. 



378. The Dahlia. This is another modern development 

 from a single-flowered Mexican species. Indeed, the devel- 

 opment of the new decorative types has come about in our 

 day. The newer types are less rounded than the old forms, 

 and show the loose, free, chrysanthemum style of flower. 

 In the dry, warm, summer air of the prairie States these 

 newer forms are at home, and, indeed, they do well over a 

 large part of the Union. In rich, warm soil in a sheltered 

 position the dahlia gives little trouble, and does not need 

 staking. In autumn at the West the first freeze not only 

 kills the top, but often the buds at the crowns of the 

 tubers. To prevent this it is best to mulch the surface of 

 the bed late in the season. The tubers can be stored dry 



