CRESS CROTON 79 



12-18 in. apart. In summer it runs to seed quickly, so that 

 it is usually grown in spring and fall. 



The Water Cress is more exacting in its culture, and can 

 only be successfully grown in moist places, such as edges of 

 shallow, slow-running creeks, open drains, or beds excavated 

 near such streams. A few plants for private use may be 

 grown in a frame, provided a retentive soil is used and at- 

 tention given to watering the bed often. Water Cress may 

 be propagated from pieces of the stem, used as cuttings. If 

 one is fond of Water Cress, it is well to colonize it in some 

 clean creek or pool. It will take care of itself year by year. 

 Seeds may also be used for propagating it. 



Crocus. A hardy bulb, easily grown and giv- 

 ing good satisfaction either in the border or scattered 

 through the lawn. They are also forced for winter (see 

 Bulbs). They are so cheap and lasting that they may be 

 used in quantity. A border of them along the edges of 

 walks, little clumps of them in the lawn, or masses in a 

 bed, give the first touch of color as the spring opens. They 

 may be forced with ease planted in pots or shallow boxes, 

 put away in a cool place and brought into the house at any 

 time through the winter. A low temperature will bring 

 them into bloom in perfection in about four weeks from the 

 time they are brought in. They can be had in the window- 

 garden in this way. 



A sandy soil suits the Crocus admirably. Plant in the 

 fall, in the open, setting them 3 to 4 inches deep. When they 

 show signs of failing, take up the bulbs and reset them. 

 They tend to rise out of the ground, because the new bulb or 

 corm forms on the top of the old one. If best results are 

 desired, it is well to renew the bed occasionally by buying 

 new bulbs. Crocus beds may be filled later in the season 

 with quick-growing annuals. 



Croton. Under this name many varieties and 

 so-called species of Codieeum are grown for conservatory 

 decoration, and latterly for foliage bedding in the open. 



