62 



and Fortin's Giant, the last being the largest of all. When 

 planting a bed of this the ground should have plenty of farm- 

 yard manure, which must be dug in well below the surface ; 

 planting should take place as soon as the leaves decay ; this 

 plant benefits immensely by good cultivation, but does not like 

 to be often transplanted. Old established beds should have 

 a good dressing of manure from the cowyard every autumn, 

 as soon as the leaves turn yellow ; this must remain on the top 

 all the winter and the residue may be lightly raked off in the 

 Spring before growth commences. 



Muscari conicum, Heavenly Blue. This is one of the 

 most pleasing of this family, but the white, M.botrytis alba, and 

 M. commutatum, blue, which flower after the first-named is 

 over, are worth growing ; the same system of culture applies to 

 all. They will grow and increase quickly in any ordinary garden 

 soil, and need not be removed for several years ; being small 

 individually they should be planted in good sized patches, 

 putting the bulbs about an inch apart (see page 65). 



Narcissi. The varieties of these are almost innumerable, 

 although many of the best are at present in private hands ; 

 but one rule applies to nearly all of them, they must be planted 

 early in August in order to get the best results ; I have there- 

 fore included them in this division, as they are not suitable for 

 planting in October and November among other spring flower- 

 ing subjects ; the best way to use them in order to obtain a 

 really artistic effect is to group them in irregular masses of 30 

 to 60 roots, on a grassy bank, where they can be seen from 

 below on the South or East side ; those varieties should be 

 chosen which flower about the same time and keep erect ; 



