WATER CULTURE IN THE HOUSE 67 



To prepare the medium, take one part of 

 cocoanut fibre or if that is not available, 

 sphagnum moss and add to it one pint of 

 granulated charcoal and one quart of washed 

 sand or bird-gravel. Mix thoroughly. It 

 will probably be necessary to tear the fibre or 

 moss to pieces to accomplish this. Place 

 about two inches of this material in the bot- 

 tom of the jardiniere, put the bulbs on it, 

 nearly touching one another, and fill in with 

 more material, making all quite compact, but 

 do not jam too tight. Leave only a portion 

 of the necks of the bulbs exposed. Water to 

 thoroughly moisten the fibre all through; and 

 turn the vessel on its side until all surplus 

 water has drained off. 



Rooting can be done in any cool, airy room ;, 

 and, for the rest, follow the directions given 

 in the preceding paragraphs. The fibre must 

 never be allowed to get dry neither must it 

 be so freely watered that it becomes soggy, 

 at least not until the plants are in bud and 

 blooming, during which period they will stand 

 more water. 



As stimulating food for the bulbs grown 

 by the moss and water method a little weak 



