BULBOUS FLOWERS 101 



open out the flowers and disclose the orange stigmata. The Meadow 

 Saffron (C. sativus) spreads freely in warm gardens, and its pale lilac 

 flowers are very pretty. C. iridiflorus, C. nudifloms, and C. longifloms 

 are handsome autumn flowers. Put Crocus bulbs about two inches deep. 



Dahlias and their Cultivation. The Dahlia is an ideal late 

 summer and autumn flower, and is admirably adapted for 

 town gardens where many other flowers will not thrive owing 

 to the smoky atmosphere. I have seen perfect specimens 

 of the Cactus type grown in Clerkenwell and Stoke Newing- 

 ton. In the former case they were grown in tubs on the flat 

 roof of a house, and the receptacles used were the ordinary 

 margarine or butter tubs, which were first thoroughly burnt 

 out with lighted paper, and then holes about the size of a 

 sixpence burned through the bottom for drainage. 



The planting of Dahlias should be done about the end of 

 May. The ground ought to be well dug over to a depth of about 

 2 feet and thoroughly broken up, and a liberal quantity of old, 

 well-rotted manure mixed with the soil. The plants, if grown 

 in beds, should be quite 3 feet apart, and a strong stake 

 should be placed in the soil at the time of planting about 



4 inches away from the plant. The stake ought to be at least 



5 feet in length. Novices often wonder why such long, un- 

 sightly stakes are put in at the time of planting ; but to the 

 experienced gardener it is obvious that to insert such a stake 

 at a later period, when the plant has grown 2 feet to 3 feet in 

 height, would mean irreparable damage to the tubers or roots. 

 The plants should be well watered after they have been put 

 in, and loosely but securely tied to the stake with raffia or 

 bast. As the plant grows, the tying process should be con- 

 tinued, fresh raffia being added as needed. 



Some varieties grow much taller than others, and it is 

 always better to consult a catalogue that explains the height 

 of each variety before putting them in position. When they 

 reach about 2 feet in height, two other stakes the same length 

 as the first should be put in about i foot from the plant, the 

 three forming a triangle. 



Thinning and disbudding in the case of the Cactus, deco- 

 rative, and show 'varieties will cause some anxiety to the 

 beginner. If quantity in preference to quality of blooms is 

 required, it is usual to leave about six main stems ; but if 

 exhibition blooms are wanted, the main stems should be 

 reduced to three or four. Shoots multiply very quickly and 

 need taking out from their base. No plant should be allowed 

 to become in the least degree crowded. 



