THE DAY BEFORE SPRING 53 



in a south border, where the soil is warm and dry, are 

 in the best condition and have increased. Those in a 

 north border, where the soil is heavy, disappeared after 

 two years. The bulb should be planted in September, 

 the tops five inches below the ground and the bulb laid 

 upon its side to prevent moisture lodging between the 

 scales. It will require a year to become established be- 

 fore it does anything very striking in the way of a dis- 

 play. If at any time the bulbs must be moved, the best 

 time is just after the leaves have withered. 



Fritillaries are rather numerous, but I am not ac- 

 quainted with many. Just once have I been able to 

 flower the brilliant red F. recurva, though I have planted 

 it several times under flattering conditions. The Snakes- 

 head Fritillary, Guineahen flower, or Checker Lily, as 

 Parkinson calls it, Fritillaria Meleagris, with its lovely 

 white variety, alba, may and should be had by every 

 one. In moist, partially shaded places, the curving 

 bell-hung stalk grows a foot high, but in the dryer 

 soil of the garden it is not so tall. There are new 

 varieties, Cassandra, Orion, and Triton, all described as 

 most attractive; the "Checkers" on their gray or 

 silvery- white ground are more or less distinct. The 

 bulbs should be planted six inches deep with a covering 

 of sharp sand. 



When one comes to Daffodils, it is difficult to write 

 with moderation or even to think connectedly one 

 wants to go into ecstasies and to run, in spirit, from one 



