BULBS 29 



they think proper. The large bulb-dealers display an elasticity of 

 conscience in this matter which the amateur may imitate, for it 

 will be to his convenience and tranquillity of mind to do so. The 

 very worst that can happen to him in the matter is that some 

 budding botanical student may one day or other make a point 

 against him. This will doubtless afford deep satisfaction to the 

 callow botanist, but it will not have the remotest effect on the 

 garden of the culprit, who may go on his way happy and 

 unrepentant. For ourselves, we are cheerfully conscious of 

 technical error in the composition of the present chapter on 

 bulbs, and make no sort of apology for taking a simple line. 



Winter Aconites. Our very first plant, the Winter Aconite 

 (Eranthis hyemalis), is not a true bulb, but we buy it and buy it 

 very cheaply too from bulb-dealers in the autumn. It is a low 

 grower with a yellow flower, which nestles in a green ruff. 

 Individually, it is not very striking, but in a mass on grass, 

 especially when associated with Snowdrops, it is very charming. 

 One may see it thus planted in the Royal Gardens, Kew. It 

 is not in the least particular about soil. 



Allium neapolitanum is a pretty bulb, related to the Onion. 

 Happily it has not so pungent an odour. The long stems of 

 white flowers are very pure and pleasing. The plant may be 

 grown out of doors, or in pots or baskets for early blooming 

 under glass. At Kew it is grown in a hanging basket suspended 

 from the roof of the greenhouse, in company with such charming 

 plants as Begonia Gloire de Lorraine and Lachenalias. Those 

 who copy this pleasing plan should get a wire basket and line it 

 with moss to enable it to hold soil. The compost may consist of 

 two parts of loam, one of leaf-mould, and about a tenth of coarse 

 sand. The bulbs may be put in during November, and covered 

 an inch deep. They will probably bloom about the end of 

 February. 



Alstromerias are very distinctive in appearance, and most pleasing 



