624 HOME AND HOUSEHOLD. 



the delicate shade of rose, and the brilliant yellow variety, they 

 form an attractive and pleasing combination. 



Many of the bloomers of summer and autumn can be carried 

 through and made to do service all winter, but the most effec- 

 tive results are from the cultivation of hardy bulbs. Some 

 florist has wittily said : " A Dutch bulb can snap its fingers at 

 the stupidest amateur alive, and grow and bloom in spite of him 

 or her, whether the house be light or dark, hot or cold." The 

 most prominent of these bulbs are the hyacinth, tulip, narcissus, 

 jonquils, daffodils, crocus, and lily-of-the-valley ; all of which can 

 be easily grown in winter. A whole window box can be filled 

 with them, producing a pretty effect, by planting the large bulbs 

 of hyacinths, tulips, and narcissus at equal distances apart, and 

 then filling in with small bulbs, like crocus, scillas, and snow- 

 drops. The white Roman hyacinth, which is earlier and has 

 several small spikes of flowers, instead of one large one, is 

 worthy of cultivation. In cultivating the lily-of-the-valley in 

 winter, an individual treatment is necessary. After planting, 

 it should be in a sheltered position, where it can freeze ; then 

 brought into the cellar, where it can thaw out gradually ; and 

 afterward placed in a cool room. Plenty of water must then be 

 given it, and it will grow and bloom beautifully. 



Of the narcissus there is a great variety. The handsomest is 

 perhaps the Oriental narcissus, or Chinese sacred lily, which 

 bears a profusion of silvery white flowers, with golden yellow 

 cups. It is called the Chinese sacred lily, because the Chinese 

 use it to herald the coming of their new year. One of the bulbs 

 .lately brought to this country is the freesia, the leaves of which 

 are long and narrow, and the flower pure white, tube-shaped, 

 with a yellow blotch. The flowers are strung along the stem 

 like a row of beads ; the bulbs are small, and half a dozen plants 

 can be grown in a five-inch pot. After blooming they should 

 remain in the pot until another season, when they may be taken 

 out and put into fresh earth. They increase rapidly, and the 

 flowers are delightfully fragrant. 



Cyclamen Persicum is a beautiful plant for the window, the 

 leaves having beautiful markings on them, and the flowers vary- 

 ing from white to rose and purplish crimson. It likes a cool 

 window, and will bloom from January on till spring. If one has 



