TULIPS. 



THE CROCUS. 



If there is one early spring flower we 

 admire more than another it is the crocus, 

 and our admiration for this flower is in 

 proportion to the care we give it. It is 

 one of the many forms that fully appre- 

 ciates good attention, and will amply 

 repay all the kindness shown it. We 

 plant these in every warm, cozy corner 

 where the sun delights to linger, and 

 not infrequently we have them in flower 

 the first week in March. But if we 

 expect this result good strong bulbs 

 must be planted in September. Our 

 best display is from bulbs planted three 

 years ago, and from that time frost has 

 not touched them. Not so, however, 

 with the flowers, as they have been so 

 hard frozen several times that they were 

 as hard as ice and as brittle to the 

 touch. But the moment the sun came 

 out the frost departed, leaving the 

 flowers uninjured. We put these in 

 clumps, the bulbs four inches apart 

 each way, and they completely fill the 

 spaces that were between them. We 

 shall let these remain at least another 

 season and as long as they do well, then 

 separate and plant out anew. 



SCILLAS AND SNOWDROPS. 



These should be planted in alternate 

 rows, or in mixed clumps a foot or more 

 in diameter. As an edging, or for fill- 

 ing small beds, if planted sufficiently 

 thick the effect is matchless. The azure 

 blue of the one contrasts beautifully 

 with the pure white of the other. These 

 can remain for years without removal 

 and seemingly do better the closer they 

 grow. Both remain long in flower, 

 coming the first in spring and remaining 

 until the tulip and hyacinth overshadow 

 them. 



THE ANEMONE AND RANUNCULUS. 



These were not born for our climate, 

 as they come into flower during winter 



or early spring. But with little trouble 

 they can be grown in frames and amply 

 repay the labor they cost. As the tubers 

 are easily kept, it is best to plant them 

 about the first of February in a frame 

 where they can be protected, both 

 against frost and sun. In their native 

 element they flower during the rainy 

 season, when there is but little sun or 

 heat, producing a mass of very gorgeous 

 flowers. A frame filled with these flowers 

 in April has no peer in the garden. 



CROWN IMPERIAL. 



Fritillaria Imperialis is an object to 

 be admired. There is nothing particu- 

 larly striking in the flower, but its 

 arrangement in clusters on the top of 

 the naked stalk about a mass of clean 

 luxuriant leaves, makes it an object of 

 beauty. While it is hot a hardy bulb r 

 when growth commences in spring it 

 seems to defy frost and forces its way 

 through frozen ground. It is pleasing 

 to watch its growth, we see the heads an 

 inch in diameter, coming through the 

 ground one morning, and the next they 

 are fast frozen in, but the moment the 

 ground softens they push themselves for- 

 ward and are in blossom while yet the 

 ground freezes. Ours were in full flower, 

 (April 15) while during the week previ- 

 ous ice to the thickness of half an inch 

 formed near them. 



These we planted early in September, 

 as should always be the case if they are 

 to succeed, as the bulbs are so tender 

 they suffer if long out of ground. Every 

 bulb and plant has its marked peculiar- 

 ity. This in having a hole through the 

 entire length of the bulb, when it gets 

 to be of flowering size. In buying the 

 bulb, select only such as have a hole 

 through them, as none others will flower. 

 Protect against frost during winter and 

 the bulbs need not be disturbed for a 

 number of years. — American Gardening. 



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