MANAGEMENT OF BULBS. 167 



the bulbs, which I have just mentioned, is not 

 much known to our gardeners ; it is, however, 

 the manner in which all the fine forced roots 

 are grown by the London nurserymen. 



I have told you that most of the bulbous- 

 rooted plants are natives of dry climates, and 

 are only watered by the spring rains : take care, 

 therefore, that your bulbs do not have much wa- 

 ter till they begin to grow strongly ; and select 

 a place to bury them in, where they will be 

 sheltered from too much wet ; though a small 

 quantity will be necessary, when they begin to 

 graw freely. The soil they are covered with 

 should be light, so as to allow the rain to pass 

 quickly through. While they are in flower, 

 they may be well supplied with water. I told 

 you to put sand round each root: this is to 

 form a drain, because water is not retained by 

 sand ; it therefore prevents the wet from lodg- 

 ing round the roots, or in its coats. 



