CULTURE IN WINDOW BOXES, 87 



tulips, hyacinths, or narcissi. Between the larger bulbs 

 any of the plants previously described may be planted, to 

 flower after the bulb; and, in the case of irises or gladioli, 

 violas or pansies may be used as carpeting plants. For all 

 the foregoing bulbs a compost of two parts loamy soil and 

 one of equal proportions of decayed manure, leaf-mould, 

 and coarse silver sand, may be used. Small bulbs like 

 crocuses, etc., should be planted an inch deep and one to 

 two inches apart; and larger ones, like hyacinths two 

 inches deep and three inches apart. 



General Treatment After planting, cover the 

 surface of the soil with about an inch of cocoanut-fibre 

 refuse. Give no water till growth begins, and then only 

 if the surface soil appears dry. When in full growth 

 more water will be needed. As soon as the flower stems 

 show clearly, the soil may be watered with a solution of 

 guano or fertiliser, using an ounce to a gallon of water. 

 Apply once a week till the flowers open, then cease. Tall 

 spikes or stems should be supported with a neat stake, 

 otherwise wind may cause them to snap of!. After flower- 

 ing continue to give water till the foliage turns yellow; 

 then the bulbs may be removed from the soil, laid out 

 in a cool place to dry, and be stored away. As a rule, 

 bulbs that have been grown in the limited area of a 

 window-box do not collect sufficient new food to develop a 

 strong embryo spike within the 'bulb before the foliage 

 dies; hence, if used a second year, the spikes or flowers 

 will naturally be smaller than those of the first year. It 

 is, therefore, better to buy new bulbs every autumn, and 

 to either plant the old ones out in the garden, or, failing 

 a garden, to give them to some friend who has one, to 

 plant in his borders. We may add, for the information 

 of the novice, that it is not necessary to place the boxes 

 in a dark place, or to cover them, except as advised. 

 Being in the open air, they will grow best under the 

 natural conditions of light and air. 



