84 BULBS AND THEIR CULTIVATION. 



many other kinds of spring-flowering bulbs might be suc- 

 cessfully grown thus if they were tried. 



Planting;, Having placed half an inch of charcoal in 

 each bowl, proceed with the planting as follows: For 

 large bulbs like those of hyacinths, narcissi, and tulips, 

 put about an inch of compost over the charcoal and press 

 it down firmly. On this arrange the bulbs about half an 

 inch apart, then fill in the intervening spaces with com- 

 post, pressing it firmly down, afterwards covering the 

 bulbs with compost nearly to their tips. For smaller 

 bulbs add sufficient compost over the charcoal so that 

 when the -bulbs are placed thereon their tips reach to 

 within half an inch of the rim of the bowls. Place them 

 a quarter of an inch apart, fill in with compost to within 

 half an inch of the top of the bowls, and press it down 

 evenly and firmly. In the case of snowdrops, scillas, and 

 chionodoxas, these may be grown in mixture or separately, 

 as all three flower about the same time. 



The next step is to place the bowls in a cool, dark 

 cellar, or some other equally cool, dark spot, and let 

 them remain there for about eight weeks, by which time 

 they will have rooted sufficiently to be safely brought 

 into the light. Of course, some, as the Roman hyacinths, 

 snowdrops, and the irises, may have become well rooted 

 before then, and have commenced to make new growth 

 freely. In this event, bring the bowls to the light at 

 once. For the first few days it is not wise to expose the 

 bulbs fully to the light, but to place them in semi-light 

 until the growth assumes a greenish tinge. As a rule no 

 water is required until the bulbs are brought into the 

 room, but, in the event of the fibre becoming dryish, 

 moisten it moderately with chilled rain water. Ordinary 

 water may 'be used failing a supply of the latter. On no 

 account place the 'bowls in dry, warm cupboards, as the 

 dry air would absorb the moisture from the fibre, and the 

 warmth stimulate the bulbs to put forth leaves and flowers 

 before new roots had formed, and the result would be dis- 



