BULBS AND THEIR CULTURE. 99 



bulbs grown in California. The Little Gem is a minia- 

 ture calla that lias many uses. 



Of the other bulbs, the lilies are the only ones that 

 can be forced for a second year, after having had good culti- 

 vation in the open ground for two years. While the others 

 are worthless for forcing, or even for bedding, if good 

 results are expected, the tulips, in particular, can be 

 used to good advantage by planting them about the 

 shrubbery, and under the edges of evergreens. 



OXALIS. 



Although not a florists' bulb exactly, the oxalis 

 should be more commonly grown. The Boweii, red; 

 Lutea, yellow; and Versicolor, red and white, are among 

 the most desirable sorts as pot plants, or for hanging 

 baskets, vases, etc. They have a decorative effect and 

 find a ready sale. The bulbs should be planted in a 

 rich, sandy compost in October, in small pots, and will 

 require no care, except an occasional watering, until 

 they have filled the pots, when they should be shifted 

 into the four-inch size. 



The oxalis is well adapted for use in hanging baskets, 

 window boxes and as a border for beds, as well as for use 

 as a pot plant. The bulbs should be started at inter- 

 vals during the fall, if a succession of bloom is desired. 

 They may be planted where they are to flower, or the 

 bulbs may be placed in three-inch pots and shifted to 

 the beds or pots. A good bulb will fill a five-inch pot, 

 or several may be placed in a large pot or pan. The 

 oxalis does well at quite a range of temperature, but 

 about sixty degrees will give the best results. When 

 through flowering, and the leaves begin to turn yellow, 

 water should be gradually withheld. During the resting 

 period the bulbs may be left in the pots, which should 

 be turned on their sides in some place where they cannot 

 become wet, or they may be taken out and kept in boxes. 



