§4 BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 



such cases, which may consist of equal parts of sand, loam, 

 rotten manure, mould, &c. 



When ready, the heds may be laid out, from three to four 

 feet wide, and they should be raised two or three inches 

 above the level of the walks, which will give an opportunity 

 for all superfluous moisture to run off. Let the beds thus 

 formed be pulverized to the depth of fifteen or eighteen 

 inches; and at the time of planting, let a small quantity of 

 beach sand be strewed in the apertures or trenches, prepared 

 for the roots to grow in, both before and after placing them, 

 which will prove beneficial. 



A Southern exposure, dry and airy, and sheltered from 

 the north-west winds, is preferable for most bulbs. But 

 Anemones and Ranunculuses should be in some measure 

 sheltered from the intense heat of noon. 



Beds of hardy bulbous and tuberous roots should^ be 

 covered on the approach of Winter with litter, leaves, straw, 

 or such earth as is formed by the decay of leaves, to the 

 depth of two or three inches, as it prevents any ill effects 

 which a severe season may have on the roots ; but it should 

 be carefully raked off again in the Spring. 



Bulbous roots in general should be taken up in about a 

 month or six weeks after the bloom is exhausted; the foliage 

 or leaves then turn yellow. If line warm weather, the bulbs 

 may be dried on the beds they grew on, by placing them in 

 separate rows, being careful not to mix the several varieties 

 together. To prevent such an accident, labels may be 

 affixed to, or placed in the ground opposite each bulb — 

 they will keep much better for being dried gradually ; to 

 this end, a little dry earth may be shaken over them, to 

 screen them from the heat of the sun. If it should rain 

 before they get dry, take them in, or cover them with 

 boards ; when dry, clear them of the fibres and stems, and 

 then put them away in dry sand ; or wrapped in paper, they 

 may be kept in boxes or drawers until the season of planting 



