OHAPTEE XV. 



SPRING FLOWERING BULBS. 



" Odors of spring, my senses ye charm! 

 Methinks with purpose soft ye come, 



To tell of brighter hours ; 

 Of May's blue skies, abundant bloom, 



And sunny gales and showers." 



In October and November we must plant the Spring Flowering Bulbs, 

 which are the first flowers in the spring that gladden our eyes. As 

 soon as the sun's rays have strength enough to pierce the stony ground, 

 they send up their leaves closely sheathed together to withstand the icy 

 touch of the north wind. With the first sweet whistle of the robin, and 

 the clear treble notes of the blue bird, they stand ready to burst forth 

 into gorgeous splendor. The pearly white Snowdrop, white as the 

 snow-drift which has nourished her buds, is the pale leader of the glori- 

 ously clad procession which follows the spring's footsteps. 



Clusters of these roots can be planted among the grass nearest the 

 house, and early in March and April they will appear in full bloom. 

 They will grow in any soil ; but will run out if new homes are not pro- 

 vided for them every three or four years. They multiply rapidly. The 

 great Snowdrop is double the size of the common kind, but does not 

 blossom so early. The small sorts can be planted an inch apart and two 

 inches deep, but the larger kinds should be planted five inches asunder, 

 and four inches in depth. 



The Crocus 



Comes next in order, clothed in purple, yellow and white, lilac and blue ; 

 striped and plain ; cloth of gold and cloth of silver. They are of easy 





