98 CAUTIONS RESPECTING BULBS. [JUNE. 



is at an end ; and there is, as we have just 

 seen, no time for the formation of the flower 

 and the roots in early spring. As soon, there- 

 fore, as the tulip or hyacinth has blown, new 

 force is collected from the sap in the long 

 green leaves, and the rudiments of the flower 

 and leaf for the next year are formed in the 

 heart of the root, where they lie dormant 

 through the winter. If then you cut away the 

 growing green leaves, you destroy the means of 

 making the flower and leaves for the next year ; 

 and you might almost as well at once root up 

 the plant. This applies to crocuses, lilies, &c. 

 You must not, therefore, in your taste for 

 neatness, tear away any green leaves of bulbous 

 roots, or your future prospects of bloom will be 

 blighted. If you wish to be convinced by ex- 

 periment, of what I tell you, (as, indeed, you 

 should be, in all things relating to natural histo- 



