WHAT ARE BULBS? 19 



for the development of the leaves and flowers. The period 

 required to perfect this process, or, in gardeners' language, 

 to make the bulb " strong enough to bloom^" is widely 

 different in different species, and even varies much in the 

 same species, according to mode of growth and favorable 

 or unfavorable circumstances. 



Some bulbs and tubers require years before a sufficient 

 stock of feculent matter is accumulated : others in a few 

 months gain strength enough to nourish the flower. The 

 mode by which this store is laid up is by no means different 

 from that by which all plants assimilate to their own sup- 

 port the elements of earth, air, and water. It is effected by 

 means of the roots and leaves, or foliage, and only differs 

 in the place of deposit. 



In all bulbs, tubers, and fleshy root-stalks, this nutriment 

 is laid up in the earth, and the leaves mostly die annually, 

 or take a season of rest : and hence we see the pertinence 

 and force of the old gardener's adage, " Fine flowers, large 

 leaves ; " as, without a full development of foliage, it is use- 

 less to expect a perfection of bloom. Were the leaves of a 

 bulb to be cut off as fast as they appear, the bulb would 

 perish : therefore, if we would allow them their full action 

 for the perfection of the bulb, they should never be cut off 



