S a general rule, a soil with a proportion 

 of sand is best suited to the growth of bulbs. 

 Some even thrive in pure sand ; and there 

 arc very few which will succeed in heavy, 

 close, clayey, or peaty soil. 



This fact must be borne in mind in the culture of all bulbs. 

 Many require a rich soil, and some will bear manuring ; 

 but even these need light soil and well-rotted manures. 

 A good compost for the growth of common bulbs is one 

 part clean sand, one part leaf-mould or rich garden-loam, 

 and one part well-rotted cow-dung. A good substitute for 

 this latter is the bottom of an old hot-bed ; but it should be 

 very well rotted, so that its component parts cannot be dis- 

 tinguished, and such as will fall away like loam. 



35 



