The Gardener's New Dirkctor. 329 

 *' The diilance, which thcfe young bulbs Umiild be 

 allowed, need not be more than two inches, nor fhould 

 they be planted above two inches deep ; but toward the 

 end of Oi^ober, it will be proper to cover the beds over 

 with a little frefh earth about an inch deep, which will 

 prefcrve the roots tVoai the tVoft, and prevent mofs or 

 wecds from growing over them ; but, if t!-,c winter 

 fhould be very fevere, it will be proper to cover the bed 

 either with mats or peas haulm to prevent the f roll: trom 

 entering the ground, for thefe roots are much ten- 

 derer while young, than they are after they have acqui- 

 red ftrength. 



" In the fpring the fur Face of tiie ground fliould be 

 gently ftirred, to make it clear, before the plants come 

 ,up; and if the fpring lliould prove dry, they mull: be 

 frequently refrefhed with water, during the time of their 

 growth; but this mufl not be given to them in great 

 quantities, left \1 rot their tender bulbs; and when the 

 leaves are decayed, the weeds fliould be taken oil, and 

 the beds covered with fredi earth; which fhould alfo be 

 repeated again in autumn. 



<* In thefe beds the bulbs may remain two years ; du- 

 ring which time they muft be conftanily kept clear from 

 weeds, and in the fpring and autumn frefn earthed, in 

 the manner already dircdeti ; ;:fter which the bulbs muft 

 be taken up, and planted into frefti bt-ds, at four inches 

 afundcr, and as many deep, where they may remain two 

 years more; during which time they fliould have the 

 "fame culture as before ; and after tliat, the bulbs being 

 large enough to blow, they fhould be taken up, and 

 planted in trefti beds at the iifual didance, and in the 

 fame manner as old roots; where, when they flower, 

 fuch of them as are worthy to be preferved, flioulil be 

 marked with fticks, and at the feafon for taking them 

 up, they muft be feparated from the others, in order 

 to be planted as breeders in different beds ; but you fliould 

 by no means reject the others until tlu-y have flow- 

 ered twox or three year,-,, as it is impodible to judge ex- 

 actly of their value in lefs lime; for many, which at 

 firil flowering appear beautiful, will alterwurds degene- 

 rate fo as to be of little value, and others, which did 

 7ic\ pleafe at firft, will lufjuiMuly improve; fo that 



Z j they 



