GARDENING BY MYSELF. 



193 



When your bulbs arrive, choose out first 

 those that are to be for winter pleasure in- 

 doors. These must be first planted. And 

 if you have others of your own, from last 

 year, it is well to look them over carefully, 

 and set aside such as already show starting 

 roots or shoots. These are early kinds, and 

 will probably give early flowers in the 

 house. 



You may grow these pretty things in al- 

 most any way, and '' with gratifying re- 

 sults." So florists will tell you, and they 

 ought to know. Hyacinths, crocuses, 

 snowdrops, scillas, narcissus, will consent 

 to live and flourish in anything, for a sin- 

 gle winter. You may take moss, or sand, 

 or earth, or water ; you may use (it is not 

 always choose) a flower-pot or an earthen 

 bowl, a glass, a wire basket, an old box, or 

 a noseless pitcher; and (if certain other 

 conditions are met) your bulb will do its 

 duty and rise superior to all surrounding 

 circumstances. But I'emember that moss 

 and sand must be kept moist, with even 

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