58 GARDENING FOB PLEASURE. 



1st, (not before), keeping them rather dry until they 

 start to grow freely, when more water may be given. 

 Plant the bulbs thus started in the open border, the first 

 week in June. The bulbs while being forwarded may be 

 kept in any place where the thermometer ranges from 

 about 65 to 75 at night. We usually piace them un- 

 der or alongside the hot- water pipes in our greenhouses, 

 covering them up with paper to keep the heat of the 

 pipes from them. Light is not necessary until they have 

 well started to grow. A greenhouse is not essential for 

 starting them in, as a hot-bed, or even a warm sitting 

 room, will do nearly as well. Any one wishing to have 

 their Tuberoses "started" can do it themselves just as 

 well as a florist can, and as the dry bulb costs less than 

 half the price of the started one, and is mere safely 

 transported by mail or otherwise, any one taking the 

 trouble to do it will save expense and have the bulbs in 

 better condition for planting. 



Some of my readers have seen or cultivated the bulbs 

 known as fancy or spotted-leaved Caladiums. There are 

 probably no plants that assume such varied and wonder- 

 ful markings of the leaves as these, and when properly 

 grown, they are among the most attractive plants at our 

 horticultural fairs. The continued high temperature 

 necessary for the healthy growth of the Tuberose, is 

 equally indispensable for the Caladium. The bulbs we 

 treat at first exactly in the same manner as the Tube- 

 rose ; that is, they should not be started much before 

 May 1st, and never should they be kept for any length of 

 time in a less temperature than 65. They are best 

 started in small pots, and should be shifted into larger 

 ones as soon as these get filled with roots. Started in 

 May, and properly treated, they should be large enough 

 by August or September to require a flower-pot twelve 

 inches in diameter, and the plant should be, according to 

 the variety, from two to three feet in diameter across the 



