NOVEMBERDECEMBER 363 



should be put in at a uniform depth to insure a simultaneous display. 

 On a heavy soil draw deep drills, and partially fill them with light 

 compost, on which the roots should be planted. The late single 

 varieties are the Tulips which were formerly so highly prized by 

 florists. For these bulbs* it was the custom to prepare the soil with 

 extraordinary care when the Tulip craze was at its height. After the 

 amazing folly of paying 3007. for a single bulb, the minor folly of 

 extravagance in preparing the soil may be readily pardoned. Happily 

 that phase of the business has passed away, and handsome Tulips are 

 now grown without such a prodigal expenditure of money and labour. 

 The site for this flower should be sunny, the soil fairly rich, and the 

 drainage good. With these conditions insured, and roots which are 

 sound and dense, it is easy to obtain a magnificent show of Tulips. 



ZEPHYRANTHES CANDIDA can be grown in any soil, and if possible 

 the bulbs should be planted in some spot where they may remain 

 unmolested through several seasons. It flowers about the end of 

 July, and resembles a white Crocus in form, but it will continue in 

 bloom until cold weather puts a stop to it. The planting may be 

 done between November and March. 



DECEMBER 



ONLY the idle or the half-hearted gardener will complain that he has 

 no work to do in the short dark days of this month. Although there 

 may be little or nothing to plant or sow, and few flowers need re- 

 potting, yet there are soils to obtain and store for future use ; former 

 heaps to turn over and remake ; dead leaves to remove from plants 

 in pits and houses ; stakes and neat sticks to prepare for subjects 

 which will need support by-and-by ; beds and borders to enrich, 

 and many other duties to perform. In the evenings, too, there are 

 new combinations and fresh harmonies in colour to be designed for 

 beds and groups in borders ; the requirements for the coming season 

 to consider while experience gained during the closing year is still 

 fresh in the memory ; the position of plants in pits and frames and 

 houses to forecast, so that the plan of the summer campaign may be 

 clearly understood, and all the resources of the garden be under 

 intelligent control. The fluctuations of the thermometer have also 

 to be watched, and means adopted to save plants from injury by a 

 sudden fall of temperature. Altogether there are abundant sources 

 of profitable employment for those who have a mind to work. 



