TAKING UP BULBS. 95 



It will now be time for you to take up those 

 bulbs, of which the leaves are nearly decayed. 

 I can fix no particular day for this operation ; 

 because, as the bulbs flower at different sea- 

 sons, so the leaves also will decay at different 

 times ; but the general rule is, to take them up 

 carefully, as soon as the leaves have turned 

 yellow, and to lay them under a south wall to 

 dry and ripen ; taking care to cover them with 

 fine, dry, sandy earth, in layers, so that they 

 may not touch each other. When the leaves 

 are quite decayed, remove the bulbs, and 

 spread them to dry under shelter of a green- 

 house, or in a room ; and, finally, after cleaning 

 them from the dirt, take off their old coats, or 

 skins, and put them away in bags, or drawers, in 

 a cool, dry place, till they are wanted for replant- 

 ing in the autumn. Do not fail to look at them, 

 to see that they do not get damp and mouldy. 

 If this happens, they will, most likely, rot. 



