CROCUS. 



THE CROCUSES are very interesting flowers, delicate and tasteful in form, and varied and gay 

 in color. They begin to throw up their leaves before the frost is fairly gone, and in sheltered 

 situations in this latitude will flower in March, though early in April is their season of greatest 

 beauty. For several weeks, and until the flowering of the Hyacinth, 

 through the most changeable and unpleasant of the spring weather, the 

 garden depends upon the Crocus almost alone for its brightness. 



Crocuses must be planted in the autumn. Set the bulbs about three 

 inches apart and cover with not less than two inches of earth. Before 

 winter sets in, cover the bed with a little straw, coarse manure, or other 

 litter, to prevent the bulbs being thrown out by the frost. The Crocus will 

 flower well in the house in winter half a dozen or more in a little pot 

 or in baskets of moss, or in any other way that good taste may suggest. 

 The bulbs may be set so close as almost to touch each other. 



There is really but one objection to its use in the house, and that is the 

 ^ brief existence of the bloom. However, the Crocus is so cheap and flowers 

 '/; so soon after planting, that it will always prove interesting and remain 

 popular. For general purposes the unnamed are quite as good as the 

 named, and as they are bought by the hundred for less than two cents 

 each, cannot be considered an expensive luxury. The Yellow are the 

 most vigorous in growth. A few Crocuses scattered over the lawn is a pretty sight. 



COLCHICUM. 



The COLCHICUM, or Autumn Crocus, is a curious and interesting flower. The leaves appear 

 in the spring, and the flowers in the autumn, and the seed the next midsummer. This singular 

 habit makes the flower very interesting both to the Botanist and 

 Florist. The bulbs are perfectly hardy, and we have never known 

 one injured by the winter. Each bulb gives quite a cluster of 

 flowers, generally six or eight, and so persistent is it in its determina- 

 tion to flower, that if taken up early in the autumn, before time 

 for flowering, and placed in a pot or basket, it will bloom just as 

 well as if left in the ground. Indeed, if placed upon a bracket or 

 shelf, without either soil or moisture, the pretty pinkish flowers will 

 appear just the same as though it had retained its natural position 

 in the ground. C. autumnalis is a delicate pink ; C. Agrippina cf 

 a deeper color and checkered. A few of either variety will afford 

 great satisfaction, and to those who have never grown the Colchicum 

 we would say, try them, and obtain the cheapest, if money is of any particular consequence. 



SNOW-DROP. 



THE first flower of spring is the delicate SNOW-DROP, white as snow. Its appearance about 

 the first of March is a joyful surprise. The bulbs are quite small ; the leaves and flowers about 

 six inches in height. Plant in the fall, in beds or masses of a 

 dozen or more, about two inches apart, and about the same depth. 

 They are very desirable for growing in pots, etc., in the house in 

 winter. A dozen may be planted in quite a small pot or saucer. 

 A few planted on the lawn produce a fine effect early in the spring, 

 and mowing will not destroy the bulbs, for the leaves will ripen 

 so early that they will be pretty well matured before the grass will 

 need cutting. Perfectly hardy, and bulbs can remain several years 

 without removal. 



The SNOW FLAKE, (Leucojnm,) is sometimes called the Large 

 Snow-Drop, from its resemblance to this delicate flower. It is 

 much larger, and more robust in habit. Flowers white, with 

 SNOW-DROP. bright green spots. Once planted, it manages to take care of itself 



pretty effectually, and flowers very freely in summer. It is not as desirable as the Snow-Drop. 



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COLCHICUM. 



