BULBS AND THEIR CULTURE. 101 



If the weather is hot and dry, and they should have 

 plenty of fresh air. Liquid manure should be given 

 when the roots have filled the flowering pots. As cooler 

 weather approaches keep a little closer and if the plants 

 have been kept in a cold frame remove to a house where 

 they can have some heat, if necessary to secure a warm, 

 dry atmosphere. During the winter they should be 

 kept at 55 or GO degrees until through flowering. When 

 the leaves begin to turn yellow induce rest by moving 

 the plants to a cooler house and gradually withholding 

 water. They should not be allowed to become dust dry 

 so that the bulbs will shrivel. After a short rest the 

 new leaf-sta!ks will begin to start and the bulbs should 

 be repotted into four- or five-inch pots, using a light and 

 open but rich compost, and giving thorough drainage. 

 Repot when necessary up to six- or seven-inch pots and 

 give the same care as the first year. 



FORCING THE GLADIOLUS. 



The gladiolus is coming into favor as a bulb for 

 spring forcing. It can be grown with but little care, 

 and the flowers will be even finer than those grown out 

 cf doors. The bulbs need to complete their period of 

 rest before they are started into growth, and nothing 

 will be gained by planting them before the last of 

 December, unless bulbs are used that have been forced 

 the previous year. They can be grown either in beds, 

 boxes or pots, but one of the latter will generally be 

 found preferable, as it admits of keeping them in a cool 

 place until the roots have formed, which is desirable. 

 They also do well planted out in the beds with carna- 

 nations and even in rose houses, but it will be best to 

 start them in pots and transplant them to the beds after 

 the pots have become filled with the roots. 



They can be grown in the boxes about the same as 

 Holland bulbs, using rather heavier and richer soil. 



